UPDATE: Gunfire heard within Welikada prison; 13 hospitalised

UPDATE: Gunfire heard within Welikada prison; 13 hospitalised

November 9, 2012   06:48 pm

Continues sounds of gunfire have been heard within the Welikada Prison. Thirteen individuals including eight STF officers, a jailor, a civilian and a prison inmate have been taken to the National hospital, hospital sources stated.

Commanding officer of the Special Task Force (STF) DIG R.W.M.C. Ranawana is said to be among the injured persons.

DIG Ranawana is currently undergoing surgery, Colombo National Hospital director Anil Jasinghe said.

Continues sound of gunfire is being heard from the prison complex, Ada Derana reporter said.

Tear gas was fired to control the unrest by inmates at the Welikada Prison during a special search operation carried out by Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel earlier today.

Several mobile phones were discovered during the operation carried out with prison officers, STF Commandant DIG R.W.M.C. Ranawana had said.

He stated that after the completion of the search operation inmates had pelted stones at the returning officers which resulted in a tense situation.  

Speaking to Ada Derana earlier today, DIG Ranawana stated that the search operation was carried out according to information received regarding various illegal activities taking place within the Welikada Prison.

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