A prison officer who opened fire to prevent inmates from breaking through the main gate of the prison and escaping during the recent riot at the Negombo Prison has reportedly received death threats from the prisoners.

The officer had reportedly reported for duty during the emergency despite undergoing treatment for dengue fever.

Meanwhile, the Department of Prisons has taken the necessary measures to ensure his security.

The inmate alleged to have orchestrated the riot, identified as "Katuwellegama Suresh" has reportedly been brutally assaulted by a group of inmates at the prison where he is currently being held.

Prison sources said the assault left him with serious injuries.

Investigations have also revealed that Suresh allegedly had carried out the Negombo Prison riot with the assistance of 13 other inmates.

Among them was an inmate known as "Rocky" who is alleged to have played a key role in orchestrating the unrest alongside Suresh before going into hiding within the prison.

Following the disturbance, Rocky allegedly had attempted to avoid suspicion by assisting prison officers in distributing food and beverages to other inmates, giving the impression that he had not been involved in the riot.

The group of 13 inmates has since been transferred to the Boossa Prison.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken into custody 22 repeater-type firearms and 10 T-58 rifles that were under the custody of the Negombo Prison as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities are also expected to hand over the remaining firearms at the prison to the CID for further examination.

Meanwhile, the repeater-type firearm that had earlier been reported missing has now been recovered from within the prison premises.