A total of 24 inmates of Mahara Prison have been admitted to the Ragama Hospital for treatment, following the unrest reported within the prison this evening (29).

The Director of the Ragama Hospital said the remains of four individuals who died during the tense situation were received by the hospital.

In the meantime, a massive fire is also reported from the prison premises.

Prisons Reforms and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said measures have been taken to control the unrest. A committee has also been appointed to look into the situation.

Reports received this evening revealed that a tense situation had broken out among the Mahara Prison inmates.

Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana stated that a team of Special Task Force (STF) officers was deployed to control the situation.

The Commissioner-General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya later announced that one inmate was killed after prison officials opened fire to control the situation.

Two other inmates who sustained injuries had been admitted to the hospital for treatment.

According to DIG Rohana, 05 police teams led by the Kelaniya Senior Superintendant of Police (SSP) and the Ragama Superintendant of Police (SP) were dispatched to assist the prison authorities to control the situation.

Several more teams led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) have also been dispatched.