Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament that the recent unrest reported across several prisons in Sri Lanka appears to have been coordinated, suggesting there are signs of sabotage and a possible conspiracy.
Making a special statement in Parliament, the minister said incidents of unrest have recently been reported at Negombo, Mahara, Magazine, Kuruwita and Pallansena prisons.
He said preliminary investigations indicate the immediate triggers for the disturbances were linked to narcotics and underworld activity.
Providing an update on the incidents, Wijepala said around 40 inmates at Magazine Prison broke out of a ward at about 10:15 p.m. on Thursday, prompting prison officials, with the assistance of the Special Task Force (STF), to restore order.
One inmate was killed in the incident, while 10 others are receiving treatment at the National Hospital, he said.
The minister said unrest at Kuruwita Prison was reported at around 6:30 a.m. on Friday. Two inmates were killed and 13 others were injured and are receiving treatment at the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital.
Wijepala said security forces have been instructed to prioritize the safety of inmates while bringing the disturbances under control.
“In quelling these incidents, the priority is to ensure that no inmate loses their life while restoring order,” he said.
Updating Parliament on the latest developments at Pallansena Prison, the minister said around 30 inmates climbed onto the roof of a prison ward after breakfast and refused to return inside.
Police and prison officials are working to bring the situation under control, he said, adding that all other prison incidents have been contained.
“There is no threat to public security, and I believe the situation at Pallansena Prison will also be brought under control soon,” the minister said.
Referring to the series of incidents across multiple prisons, Wijepala said the pattern suggests they were planned.
“When all these incidents are considered together, they appear to be organized acts of sabotage and part of a conspiracy,” he said. (Newswire)