Five people, including three prison officers, were killed in renewed clashes inside the Negombo Prison this morning (06), police sources confirmed.
According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, among the dead is also one inmate, while the identity of another victim has yet to be established.
By 11.00 am, 27 people had been admitted to hospital, including prison officers, Special Task Force personnel, and police officers.
Reports indicate that more officers and inmates are expected to be hospitalized as the situation unfolds.
Police said they fired several gunshots to bring the unrest under control.
The latest violence erupted despite order being restored earlier in the morning following yesterday’s confrontation between remand and convicted prisoners.
Yesterday’s clash left two inmates dead and 33 injured.
With today’s fatalities, the toll from the two days of violence has risen to seven dead and nearly 50 injured.
Police and STF remain deployed inside the prison to contain the situation. (Newswire)
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