A prison riot broke out in Welikada prison of Sri Lanka on Saturday between prisoners and guards of the jail. Gunfire were exchanged killing several prisoners, the death toll has rose to 27 on Saturday.
A spokesperson at the Colombo National Hospital said that 16 bodies were at the hospital while the minister in charge of Sri Lanka's prisons said that 11 bodies were still inside the prison premises.
The incident happened when prison guards backed by police commandos searched for illegal items like drugs and mobile phones smuggled into the prison.
P.W. Kodippili, Prisons Commissioner said, "Some of the prisoners then broken down doors and made their way to the roof with weapons stolen from the prison armory".
"Underworld members in the prison were mostly involved in the riot and instigated the attack on the police using the stolen weapons," Kodippili added.
Weapons were also stolen by the prisoners but Minister of Rehabilitation and Prisons Reforms Chandrasiri Gajadeera said all 82 guns stolen had been recovered.
Few prisoners managed to escape the prison but were later arrested.
"The army was deployed overnight to bring the situation under control as the prisoners continued to riot," Kodippili added.
The situation is said to be now under control and a special investigation has been launched into the incident.
(with input from IANS)
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