The authorities are still on the hunt to trace the four out of the five inmates who had escaped yesterday morning from the Gallella Covid Treatment Centre in Polonnaruwa.

The escaped inmates from Negombo Prison who tested COVID-19 positive and were being treated at the Gallella Treatment Centre, had slipped away last morning and one of the escapees was arrested in the Madampe area yesterday.

The Police have requested the public to inform them about the other four escapees, as the hunt continues to apprehend them immediately in order to prevent the deadly COVID-19 virus spreading among others.

The general public are being requested to contact the Polonnaruwa HQI on 071-8591233 or alert the nearest police stations immediately, if the escapees are spotted elsewhere. 

The details of the escapees are: 31-year-old Dabagallage Buddhika Wimalaratne of Wennappuwa, 26-year-old Wijesuriya Arachchige Haritha Kelum Appuhami of 2nd Cross Road, Parushapara, Maravila, 52-year-old Imiya Mudiyanselage Nimal Wasantha alias 'Gataya' of Ambagaha Colony, Angampitiya, Waikkala and 36-year-old P.K. Sumith Pushpakumara of No. 129 1/A, Jayamawatha Road, Boralessa. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)