47 involved in prisons riot identified

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court today that they had identified 47 suspects involved in causing damage to the Magazine Prison and its property during riots that took place in the prison on January 27.

The report filed by the CCD said following the appointment of Emil Ranjan Lamahewa as the Superintendent of the Magazine Prison some administrative changes had been introduced to the dislike of the inmates.

They had then requested for a meeting with Mr. Lamahewa to discuss matters but Mr. Lamahewa had rejected it triggering the riots by the inmates.
The CCD told Additional Magistrate Praharsha Ranasinghe that during the riot five officers and 26 inmates had sustained injuries. The CCD had also recovered six T56 rifle bullets and photographs which were produced in courts.

The CCD moved the court to order several state and private TV stations to issue them with un-edited visuals of the riot to further identify those involved in the riot.

The Magistrate allowed the CCD request and fixed further inquiries for February 28. (T. Farook Thajudeen)