The parents of the inmate whose death triggered controversy in Kandakadu, have expressed doubt regarding his identity. The parents have informed the authorities that they are unsure if the deceased person is their son.
Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi said that the forms have been filled with the personal details of the inmates as received from Courts. The deceased inmate is said to be an army deserter and the authorities have sent several other inmates who were in close contact with him to the Polonnaruwa courts to verify the identity of the deceased inmate.
Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said they have to ascertain whether the deceased is an inmate residing in Mutwal.
Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi said that currently 272 inmates are at the rehabilitation centre and are continuing their rehabilitation process. However, he said that around 72 inmates are still missing and the police and Army have launched a search operation to apprehend them
A total of 653 inmates who had escaped from the Kandakadu rehabilitation centre have been apprehended by the police thus far and 261 were remanded after being produced in court on Wednesday while others were remanded by the court yesterday.
Police said that 47 inmates who were hiding in the Somawathie Forest Reserve were arrested yesterday
The Commissioner-General assured that an impartial investigation will be carried out into the death of the inmate at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre and that anyone found guilty would be punished regardless of their position.
Investigations have revealed that about 300 detainees had been traveling on the roads for about 20 km with the body of the deceased detainee on their shoulders