27-year-old inmate dies after falling into a well while bathing at Galle Prison

The post-mortem examination has confirmed that the death of the inmate who fell into a well at Galle Prison was due to severe damage to the spinal cord.

 This examination was conducted by Professor U.C.P. Perera, Professor of Forensic Medicine at the Karapitiya Medical Faculty. The deceased inmate was 27-year-old Samaraweera Gamage Mithila Madhava, a resident of Akmeemana, Gonamulla.

He was an individual who had been remanded after being produced in court by the Akmeemana Police in connection with a drug charge. On the day of the incident (15th) morning, he fell into a well located inside the prison while bathing. He was then rescued from the well and first taken to the prison hospital, and later transferred to Karapitiya Hospital for further treatment. However, he died on the 18th while receiving treatment.

Subsequently, Galle Acting Magistrate Mr. Pemaratne Thiranagama visited the prison and conducted a preliminary magisterial inquiry, and after the post-mortem examination, ordered the body to be handed over to the deceased's mother.

Further evidence in connection with this incident has been postponed to February 09. Chief Police Inspector Dahanayake, OIC of the Miscellaneous Complaints Division of Galle Police, and Sergeant Karunaratne (59024) are conducting further investigations into this matter.