The Prisons Commissioner General has appointed a committee to investigate the clash between two groups of inmates at Negombo Prison, Commissioner and Media Spokesman A.C. Gajanayake said.
The incident occurred around 1.00 pm yesterday (05), when remand prisoners and convicted inmates engaged in a violent confrontation.
Police confirmed that two inmates were killed, while 34 others sustained injuries and were admitted to Negombo District Hospital. Two of the seriously injured were later transferred to Colombo National Hospital.
Following the clash, a group of inmates climbed onto a prison roof in protest, during which four fell and were hospitalized.
Prison officials, police, the Special Task Force, and the Army were deployed to restore order and tighten security around the facility.
Gajanayake said 36 inmates in total were hospitalized, with three transferred to Pallansena camp for treatment.
He stressed that the clash was confined to inmates, with no involvement of prison officials, and urged relatives not to panic.
He added that the situation inside the prison has since been brought under control with the cooperation of inmates, who have also submitted several demands to the Commissioner General for consideration. (Newswire)