Colombo, November 30 (newsin.asia) – The death toll from an attempted prison break out from a maximum security prison in Mahara, in the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo has risen to 8 while 45 are injured, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said.
Rohana told newsin.asia that all those who had died were inmates while the injured included prison guards, some of whom were in critical condition.
A severe unrest broke out within the prison premises on Sunday when hundreds of prisoners broke their cells and attempted to run towards the main gate of the prison, in an attempt to escape.
Prison guards immediately opened fire to bring the situation under control, during which an inmate was killed and several others seriously wounded.
The inmates were protesting against a spread of the COVID-19 virus within the prison premises and therefore wanted to be released.
Security has been tightened in and outside the prison premises and the police special task force has been deployed. Even till Monday morning, officers were attempting to bring the situation under control.
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