Magazine Prison inmate murdered

One inmate has died due to a dispute that occurred yesterday (27) morning at the Colombo Magazine Prison, and three prison officers have been arrested by the police in connection with the incident.

The person who died in this incident was a 38-year-old resident of Navagampura, Colombo 14, who was remanded on drug charges.

According to Prison Media Spokesperson Mr. A.C. Gajanayake, the clash occurred when two inmates outside a cell attempted to escape, and a prison officer tried to prevent it.

The Department of Prisons states that this death occurred after the two injured inmates and the prison officer were admitted to the prison hospital and the National Hospital for treatment.

However, the relatives of the deceased inmate are leveling serious allegations regarding this incident.

A sister and mother of the deceased person state that prison officers brutally assaulted them, and also handcuffed and hung the other inmate who was with the deceased inmate, and assaulted him.

Similarly, the deceased's family emphasizes that if prison authorities attempt to portray this incident as a clash between two groups of inmates, strict legal action will be taken against them.

Borella Police, who launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, arrested a jailer and a guard from Magazine Prison yesterday, and another prison guard was arrested this morning (28) after surrendering to Borella Police.

Currently, Borella Police, the Colombo District Crime Division, and the Colombo South Divisional Crime Investigation Unit are conducting further investigations into the incident under the direct supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police Nishantha Zoysa, who is in charge of the Colombo Division.

Concurrently, authorities have further confirmed that a special internal investigation has been launched through the Department of Prisons, headed by an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons.