Four inmates dead, twenty injured in Mahara Prison unrest

• Five police teams led by the Kelaniya SSP and the Ragama SP have been dispatched to assist prison officials to control the situation

by darshana sanjeewa balasuriya

Four inmates were reportedly killed and more than 20 other inmates were hospitalized during an unrest taken place at the Mahara Prison yesterday.

Sources at Ragama Hospital said bodies of four inmates were brought at the hospital while another 24 inmates were undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said that steps had been taken to control the unrest created by the detainees at the Mahara Prison.

She said that there is a dispute between the detainees in the prison.  She also said that one group had reportedly set a fire inside the prison. A committee has also been appointed to look into the incident.

Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said Prison officials have used force to control the unrest situation among inmates at the prison yesterday.