Unrest at Mahara Prison

Due to the unrest that erupted within the Mahara Prison premises, police fired tear gas in an effort to control the situation.

A large contingent of Navy personnel was called in due to a risk of prisoners escaping from one end of the prison.

The inmates inside the prison pelted stones at the arriving troops.

Subsequently, police fired three rounds of tear gas from outside the prison to bring the situation under control.

Police have imposed a curfew in the area surrounding the Mahara Prison until further notice following the unrest at the facility.

Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Sajeewa Medawatta announced that the curfew was imposed to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.

The move comes after unrest at the prison left one inmate dead and several others injured.

Security has been tightened in the area, with police, the Special Task Force (STF), and the armed forces deployed around the prison.

A Bell 412 helicopter and drones have been deployed by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) to monitor the current situation surrounding the incidents at Mahara Prison, the SLAF spokesman said.

A state of unrest had once again emerged in the vicinity of Mahara Prison.

Several gunshots were reportedly heard from within the prison, prompting relatives of inmates and local residents who had gathered at the site to attempt to breach police barricades.

The situation further escalated when security forces personnel moved in to disperse and control the crowd.

According to sources, relatives of inmates and local residents at the scene allegedly hurled stones at security forces personnel during the confrontation.

Meanwhile, water cannon vehicles have been deployed to the area in front of the prison as authorities continue efforts to contain the unrest and maintain public order.

One inmate has been confirmed dead, while at least six others have been injured and are receiving treatment following the tense situation reported at Mahara Prison today.

Seven individuals were admitted to the Ragama Hospital following the unrest at Mahara Prison, with one of them later succumbing to injuries, according to hospital sources.

Following reports of a tense situation, a major fire broke out in a building within the Mahara Prison premises, and several individuals, including inmates, were injured in the incident. The injured were subsequently rushed to Ragama Hospital for treatment.

A state of unrest has once again emerged in the vicinity of the Mahara Prison premises, said Ada Derana reporter.

Several gunshots were reportedly heard from within the prison, prompting relatives of inmates and local residents who had gathered at the site to attempt to breach police barricades.

The situation further escalated when security forces personnel moved in to disperse and control the crowd.

According to sources, relatives of inmates and local residents at the scene allegedly hurled stones at security forces personnel during the confrontation.

Meanwhile, water cannon vehicles have been deployed to the area in front of the prison as authorities continue efforts to contain the unrest and maintain public order.

One person died and six others sustained injuries following a tense situation and a fire that erupted within the Mahara Prison premises, hospital sources stated.

A fire broke out in a building during this sudden unrest that arose inside the prison premises this afternoon (01).

Several teams from the police and the Police Special Task Force were immediately summoned to the location to secure the outer security of the prison following the incident.

Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara stated while expressing views to Hiru News that necessary coordination activities are being carried out through the Commissioner General of Prisons to control and settle the situation.