A tense situation that erupted at the Matara Prison on Tuesday night (22) has led to the transfer of all inmates to other prisons, prison authorities confirmed.

Initially, over 200 inmates, including 25 female prisoners, were transferred to the Agunukolapelessa Prison for security reasons, while the remaining inmates are being transferred to other prisons today. 

According to prison authorities, over 250 inmates have been transferred from the Matara Prison as of now. 

The unrest began around 8 p.m. when a group of inmates protested the planned transfer of two prisoners to another facility. The situation escalated as prisoners reportedly began attacking officers in upper security units with stones and other objects. Prison guards were forced to fire into the air to contain the violence.

Three prison officers sustained injuries during the clash and were admitted to the Matara General Hospital, according to Matara Prison Superintendent Mangala Weliwita.

The unrest flared up again closer to midnight, with prisoners damaging prison property. Riot control measures were implemented, including the use of tear gas and further aerial warning shots. Additional police teams from Matara, Galle, and Hambantota, as well as STF personnel and fire brigade units, were deployed to stabilize the situation.

Authorities say the situation was brought under control by early Wednesday morning. However, several storage areas within the prison complex had been damaged.

An official inquiry has been launched to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the disturbance. Prison sources also emphasized that no inmates sustained injuries or fatalities during the incident, urging families of prisoners not to be alarmed. (Newswire)

The post What happened in Matara Prison? Clash, tear gas & warning shots appeared first on Newswire.

One more inmate of the Matara Prison has succumbed to injuries, taking the death toll to two in the recent accident reported at the prison premises.

Prisons Media Spokesman Gamini Dissanayake told Newswire that the deceased is a 43-year-old resident of Devinuwara. 

He further said that among the 10 inmates who were hospitalised with injuries, three are currently receiving treatment, while seven have been discharged and have returned to the prison. 

Gamini Dissanayake said that measures were taken to relocate a group of prisoners to the Angunukolapellessa Prison due to the incident.

He said 55 inmates had been moved temporarily and they will be brought back once repairs on the affected prison buildings are completed.

Two inmates of the Matara Prison were reported dead and 10 injured after the branch of a Bo Tree fell on a building that housed inmates, on Wednesday night (Jan 01). 

A 34-year-old inmate from Midigama was the first casualty to be reported in the incident. (Newswire)

The post Matara Prison accident : Death toll increases to two appeared first on Newswire.

A 34-year-old inmate of the Matara Prison was reported dead after the branch of a Bo tree fell onto a prison building last night.

The Police said the tree branch had fallen onto the building in which 12 prisoners had been housed. 

The injured prisoners had been transported to the Matara Hospital, during which one prisoner had succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment.

The deceased prison inmate has been identified as a resident of Midigama. (Newswire) 

The post 34 yr old inmate killed in Matara Prison accident appeared first on Newswire.