More prisoners feared dead

24 January 2011 03:11 pm

Unconfirmed reports said that several more prisoners were feared dead following the shootout inside the Anuradhapura prison this evening. They said authorities were unable to enter the prison premises where the clash had erupted between prisons guards and prisoners.

Nine prison officers and eleven prisoners are receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura hospital, hospital sources said, adding a female prisoner had died following the shootout.

A group of over 50 remand prisoners of the prison launched a fast on Sunday evening on the roof of the prison demanding that the officials provide them with improved living facilities.