At least eleven people were killed and another 40 wounded at Welikada Prison on Friday after inmates overpowered guards and fought gun battles with Special Task Force (STF) personnel, officials said.
National Hospital Director Dr. Anil Jasinghe stated that forty persons injured from the clashes were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital while the condition of 6 is critical.
Eight STF officers, a jailor, a civilian and a prison inmate were said to be among the injured while commanding officer of the Special Task Force (STF) DIG R.W.M.C. Ranawana is also among the injured persons.
DIG Ranawana is currently undergoing surgery, Colombo National Hospital director Anil Jasinghe said.
Clashes erupted as elite police Special Task Force (STF) officers carried out a search inside the Welikada prison for drugs and smuggled mobile phones.
Continues sound of gunfire is being heard from the prison complex, Ada Derana reporter said. Sri Lanka Army was called in to assist the STF to bring the situation under control.
Tear gas was fired to control the unrest by inmates at the Welikada Prison during the special search operation carried out by with the assistance of prison guards.
The identity of the victims was not immediately clear, but witnesses said the dead appeared to be inmates. Some of the inmates got onto a roof and fired at troops and police on the ground, media reports stated.
Troops used armoured vehicles to move in reinforcements as inmates kept on firing, witnesses said.
Several mobile phones were discovered during the operation, 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.
