VIDEO: Three prison officials being held by prisoners in Vavuniya

Three prison officials at the Vavuniya Prison have been captured and are currently being held by the prisoners in protest of the transfer of an inmate, police stated.

The capture took place while authorities attempted to transfer the prisoner to a different facility.

Attempts that were made last evening and night (June 28) to rescue the officials were unsuccessful while the prison officers, army and police have been deployed at the location for security purposes, acting Police Spokesman SP Sajeewa Madawatta stated.

No threats or assaults on the captured prison officials have been reported.