Mahara Prison unrest: Death toll reaches 11

By Asiri Fernando

The death toll following the Mahara Prison unrest on Sunday rose to 11 yesterday, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said.

According to DIG Rohana, the number injured during the incident stands at 107 with many of the injured receiving treatment at the Ragama Hospital. Two prison officers are among the injured. 

Friends and family of inmates flocked to the prison yesterday with many appealing for information about their loved ones. Family members of the deceased demanded for justice for the inmates. The Police and the Special Task Force maintains a strong presence around the prison facility which was gutted by a fire allegedly lit by inmates.   

Another tense situation erupted at the prison today with the STF and prison officers managing to bring the situation under control with no injuries reported, the Ministry of Defence said in press release. According to Military Spokesman Brig. Chandana Wickramasinghe, the incident which occurred yesterday was a continuation of the crisis which unfolded on Sunday. 

The unrest at facility broke out on Sunday evening when a group of inmates attempted to escape the facility following a conflict with prison officials, the Police said. 

Three investigations; one by the Criminal Investigation Department, the Department of Prisons and another by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Justice have been launched to inquire in to incident.