One inmate has died and several others have been injured following unrest that broke out at the Mahara Prison on Saturday, according to hospital and prison sources.
The incident reportedly began when relatives arrived at the prison to inquire about the welfare of inmates. Prison sources said a group of inmates then began pelting stones from inside the prison, escalating tensions.
During the unrest, a group of inmates allegedly attempted to escape by breaking through a temporary structure under construction within the prison premises.
Authorities said prison officers opened fire near the prison entrance in an effort to bring the situation under control. Several injured inmates were admitted to the Ragama Hospital, where one later succumbed to injuries.
Prison sources further said another group of inmates set fire to a prison building during the disturbance.
Security has been significantly strengthened in and around the prison, with police, the Special Task Force (STF), and Army and Navy personnel deployed to maintain order.
Relatives of inmates gathered outside the prison and at the Ragama Hospital seeking information about their loved ones.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the full circumstances surrounding the incident. (Newswire)