81
The Prison Department reported that one inmate was killed 11 inmates sustained injured in an accident at the Matara Prison. The injured are currently receiving treatment at the Matara General Hospital.
The incident occurred around 10.15 pm on January 1 when a branch of a Bo-tree fell onto two Prison wards, G and F, housing around 100 inmates.
The accident resulted in injuries to 12 inmates, who were promptly admitted to the Matara General Hospital. One inmate, who sustained severe injuries, succumbed to his injuries the same night. The deceased, a 32-year-old resident of Midigama, was serving a two-month prison sentence for failing to pay a fine related to a drug offence.
The injured inmates receiving treatment are residents of Denipitiya, Mirissa, Weligama, Galle, Matara, Gandara, Batapola, Deyyandara, and Galagama, according to prison officials.
Following the incident, unrest arose among the inmates at the Matara Prison. However, prison authorities, led by the Matara Prison Superintendent, managed to calm the situation and relocate all inmates to a safer building within the premises. The Superintendent has also informed the Matara District Secretary of the need to remove the unsafe Bo tree branch.
Due to space constraints within the Matara Prison, arrangements have been made to transfer inmates from the affected wards to the Angunakolapelessa Prison. As a precautionary measure, the Sri Lanka Police, the Special Task Force, and the military have been deployed to secure the perimeter of the Matara Prison. An investigation into the incident has been launched Commissioner and Media Spokesperson Gamini Dissanayake said.
Buddhika Imbulana
