With the spread of the contagious Meningococcal disease among inmates at the Galle prison, health officials have encountered a concerning phenomenon of inmates exhibiting false symptoms in an attempt to escape and secure drugs through hospital admission, informed sources told Daily Mirror.

There were 12 inmates suspected to have been infected with the bacteria, among whom two died while four have been discharged. Of the remaining inmates, four seemed to have shown false symptoms.

However, a top health official told Daily Mirror they could not take a risk and discharge them as the disease is so deadly that one could die in two days.

“Therefore, we have been forced to retain some of the inmates despite them exhibiting false symptoms,” the official said.

Meanwhile, Galle Regional Director of Health Services Dr. Konara Somarathne told Daily Mirror that the situation at the Galle Prison is now under control and measures are underway to fully contain the bacteria within the prison.

“The discharged inmates have been placed in an isolated cell at the prison,” he said.

Responding to a query, Dr Somarathne said all relevant steps had been taken to prevent the bacteria from spreading out of the prison. (Sheain Fernandopulle)