TWO PRISON ESCAPEES NABBED, 4 RETURN TO WELIKADA

Two inmates who escaped during the Welikada Prison riot on Friday have been arrested by police Minister of Prison Reforms and Rehabilitation Chandrasiri Gajadeera stated.

It has been reported that four other inmates who had escaped have returned to the prison, he said adding that there is no avoidance to prove any prisoner had escaped with firearms.

Security personnel are continuing operations to locate 5 weapons stolen by inmates, the Minister said.

Meanwhile police says that the lane from Dematagoda to Borella on Baseline Road will remain closed, however the opposite lane has been opened for traffic.

Police spokesman SSP Prishantha Jayakody however said that currently the situation in the area is peaceful.

Heavily armed troops moved overnight into the maximum security Welikada prison to restore order after hours of gunbattle between inmates and police commandos, the worst prison riot in nearly three decades.

A large quantity of weapons were reportedly recovered from prison wards following search operations.

The overnight toll rose as three more succumbed to their injuries following intense gunbattles between rioting inmates and police Special Task Force (STF) commandos who carried out a search Friday for drugs and smuggled mobile phones.

Sixteen people have been killed and another 43 are being treated by this morning, Colombo National Hospital Director Anil Jasinghe said.

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