Three prison officers escorting inmates caught drunk while on duty

Three prison officers (including a jailer), who were responsible for transporting eight prisoners including a death row inmate to the Welikada Prison from Polonnaruwa, were arrested by the Minneriya Police on charges of being under the influence of liquor while on duty.

The jailer, a sergeant and a sub prison guard attached to the Polonnaruwa Prison were arrested in Minneriya town last night following a tip-off.

The prison bus was taken to the Minneriya Police Station and following an examination, it was confirmed that the three prison officers were under the influence of liquor at the time.

The prisoners and other prisons officers were handed over to the Polonnaruwa Prison Superintendent while the arrested officers were to be produced in court today. (Dayaratna Embogama)