An inmate at the Mahara Prison had succumbed to injuries sustained during an attempt to escape early this morning, the Police Media Unit stated.
Seven inmates of the Mahara, Ragama Prison had attempted to escape by scaling a prison wall with the aid of ropes and bet sheets around 2.30 or 3.00 am today. The prisoner had sustained injuries after he had fallen from the wall they were trying to scale over. However, the prison guards had noticed the inmates trying to escape and had shot into the air to prevent them from escaping. The police said that none of the prisoners had been able to escape.
The prisoner who had sustained injuries during the escape bid was admitted to the Prison Hospital and later transferred to the Ragama Hospital. However, he had succumbed to his injuries.
Meanwhile, two prison guards too had sustained injuries while trying to prevent the prisoners from escaping and they have also been admitted to the Ragama Hospital for treatment. The magisterial inquest was conducted by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court Judicial Medical Officer.
According to prison officials, many of the prisoners at the Mahara Prison have been assisting with the efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic by sewing face masks. However, the inmates who tried to escape were from a new group of prisoners who has been addicted to drugs.
The Ragama Police is conducting further investigations.