Drug War in Prison – One Killed

Galle, April 4th: It was reported yesterday (April 4th) that one inmate was killed by another using a sharp weapon in the Boossa High-Security Prison. The victim has been identified as 48-year-old Nanda Kumar Shivanandan, a resident of Gothatuwa, Batalandahena, who was being held on drug-related charges.

According to a statement from the Department of Prisons' media spokesperson, Prisons Commissioner Gamini B. Disanayake, the incident occurred early yesterday morning. Preliminary investigations revealed that the altercation between two inmates in the same cell block led to the murder.

"The inmate was found lying with injuries inside the cell and was later taken to the prison hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds," the prison spokesperson stated.

Investigations revealed that the deceased inmate had sustained 11 stab wounds inflicted by a sharp weapon. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Karapitiya National Hospital, Galle, despite efforts to save him.

It was confirmed that Nanda Kumar Shivanandan had been imprisoned on charges related to the possession of heroin and had been in remand custody for about three years.

Authorities have identified a suspect in connection with the murder, and it is believed that the individual is currently serving a prison sentence.

Various levels of investigation are ongoing in relation to the murder. The Galle Magistrate conducted a local inquiry at the Boossa prison camp yesterday (April 4th).

A post-mortem examination of the deceased inmate's body is scheduled for today (April 5th) at the Karapitiya Hospital, Galle.

The Rathgama Police are conducting an investigation into the incident, with inquiries ongoing from different perspectives regarding the motive for the murder. Statements are being recorded from other inmates at the prison, as confirmed by the Department of Prisons' spokesperson Gamini B. Disanayake.

At this time, the exact motive for the murder has not been fully established, but investigations are focusing on whether the killing was related to an altercation over the smuggling of drugs or the possible involvement of a prison informant.

The search conducted in recent days at Boossa prison uncovered routers and mobile phones, which are also being examined for any links to the murder.

The occurrence of such an incident in a high-security prison has raised serious concerns about prison security. There are questions about how inmates were able to obtain dangerous weapons such as sharp objects within such a facility.

Human rights activists and legal experts have expressed concern about the safety of inmates in prisons, highlighting that such incidents of murder within the prison system represent a serious issue.