At least eight prisoners have been killed and more than 50 injured in a Sri Lankan prison following riots and clashes between prisoners and prison guards, CNN reported on November 30. At the time, guards were trying to quell a protest over the rising number of new coronavirus infections in prisons.
At least eight people have been killed in a prison in Sri Lanka following a new outbreak
Sri Lanka has seen a surge in new coronavirus infections in the past month, with thousands more reported in overcrowded prisons across the country, the report said. In recent weeks, prisoners have launched protests to increase the number of new coronavirus tests and to set up new isolation facilities for infected prisoners.
Prisoners' families outside prison source: Associated Press
The latest riot in Mahara prison on the outskirts of Colombo began on November 29, when some prisoners protested the transfer of prisoners infected with the new coronavirus from other facilities to Mahara prison. "We can't say for sure, but most of the deaths and injuries seem to have been caused by shooting," said AJITH rohana, a senior Sri Lankan police officer In addition, hundreds of police officers have been deployed to assist prison security and enhance prison security.
Police outside prison source: Associated Press
"Most of the prisoners injured in the conflict in Mahara are in critical condition," said Shelton Perera, director of Ragama hospital Prisoners in the prison are currently being treated in the hospital.
According to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University, Sri Lanka has reported 22988 confirmed cases of new coronavirus and 109 deaths.
