• Inmates called off their protest following a  discussion with officials

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

The hunger strike launched by several death row inmates of the Mahara and Welikada Prisons following the release of MP Duminda Silva, have been called off yesterday evening after five days, the Prisons Department said. 

Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said that several inmates refused to take food and some of them were protesting on the roof of a building at the Welikada Prison since June 24 requesting that the death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment.  

He said the inmates called off their protest and hunger strike after discussion with the ministry secretary and Commissioner General of Prisons.