The death toll from the clash that broke out in the Negombo prison premises yesterday and this morning has risen to 32. Eight prison officers and six inmates have died in this clash.
After the situation that broke out yesterday, the inmates attacked the prison officers when they entered for breakfast this morning (06). The officers and inmates were killed in the clash that broke out, Prison Media Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake told the media.
The prison office, pharmacy and armoury have been broken into and all the goods have been seized by the inmates.
When the inmates and inmates tried to come out of the front gate of the prison, the police and the riot special task force officers deployed to ensure the security of the fuel station were able to control them.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Air Force had deployed a Bell 412 helicopter and a drone to monitor the prison premises. The inmates shot at the drone using firearms stolen from the officers.
The Police Special Task Force and the Riot Control Unit entered the prison premises with tear gas to calm the situation. Nearly 100 injured people have been admitted to the Negombo Hospital, including a group of prison officers, hospital authorities say.
Relatives and friends who came to check on the well-being of the inmates began to stir up trouble by asking for information about their relatives. They climbed nearby buildings and walls and shouted for the inmates to be protected, while prison officers and security forces worked together to explain the situation and control the relatives.
It has been revealed that this clash was orchestrated by a detainee named Suresh Pushpakumara from Katuwellegama, who was arrested and imprisoned for drug trafficking.