Two prisoners die in shooting following protests over COVID-19 fears

Saturday, 21 March 2020 21:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Two inmates were killed and two injured on Saturday after a riot at the Anuradhapura prison brought on by fears over the spread of the new coronavirus.

The second inmate died after being admitted to hospital.

On speculation that a COVID-19 patient with symptoms was found within the prison, the prisoners had been engaged in a protest asking to be released which led to the unrest, Senaka Perera from the Committee for the Protection of Prisoners told Daily FT.

Unrest followed and two prisoners were seriously injured in the shooting, with one succumbing to his injuries soon after and the other succumbing in hospital.

Perera said that the Committee had written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last week asking that all prisoners who are serving sentences for minor offences be released due to overcrowding in prisons.

“We made the request to release those who have not committed serious offences. The prisons are all overcrowded, and it would be a disaster if COVID-19 begins to spread among inmates,” he said.

Former MP Namal Rajapaksa said contrary to rumours, no inmate has been tested positive at the Anuradhapura prison.

“Officials are taking all necessary measures to prevent an outbreak, and in case of an outbreak, measures have also been put in place to contain, quarantine and treat as necessary,” Rajapaksa said.