Committee appointed to investigate prison shoot out

By Sandun A. Jayasekera 

 
Two three-member committees have been appointed by Commissioner General of Prisons, (CGP) T.M.G.W. Tennakoon to look into the prison shoot out that claimed the lives of two inmates at the Anuradhapura prison on Saturday (21) night when prisoners started a riot.   

Mr Tennakoon said one committee comprising a Superintendent of Prisons, Assistant Superintendent of Prisons and a Chief Jailor will inquire into the circumstances that led to the firing to control the rebellion by inmates and the other committee led by Chief Accountant, Prison Superintendent and a Jailor will look into the damage and losses caused to the prison from the fire ignited by prisoners during the riots.   

Eight inmates were injured in the shooting and two inmates succumbed to their injuries. Six inmates are currently receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura Hospital with two at the ICU in critical condition, Mr. Tennakoon told Daily Mirror.  

No one had escaped and security has been tightened, he added.  

Justice and Law Reforms Minister, Nimal Siripala De Silva, on whose instructions, CPG, Mr. Tennakoon appointed the two committees, said the riot was a nefarious conspiracy hatched by prison inmates for a prison break to escape.  

They first said a Covid-19 infected prisoner had been brought to the prison and they were at risk of contracting the viral infection, which was totally incorrect. Thereafter, they started a protest after the prison authorities banned visitors for the prisoners’ own safety. The prison officials opened fire when the riot went out of control. If not there would have been a major jailbreak, more killings and damage to state property,” Minister De Silva said.   

He added that the prison riot had been started by a group of drug offenders who were not entitled to bail.