The unrest reported at the Mahara Prison on Sunday evening (29) was caused by inmates remanded over drug offences, the Police said.
The unrest reported at the Mahara Prison on Sunday evening (29) was caused by inmates remanded over drug offences, the Police said.
Some inmates who had consumed the medicine and were injured in the unrest are still behaving in an unruly manner at the Colombo North Teaching hospital in Ragama.
Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to reporters said an investigation will be carried out to determine as why a large number of pills were ordered for the Mahara Prison infirmary.
He said this pill is used as an alternative by heroin addicts.
Nearly 187 inmates of the Mahara prison have been transferred to the Colombo Remand Prison and are Kept in a separate Unit, following the unrest.
Preliminary investigations into the unrest have revealed that a doctor attached to the prison was involved in the incident, he added.
One inmate died while receiving treatment at the Ragama hospital this morning, increasing the death toll to 9.
Hospital sources said 106 inmates and 2 prison guards are receiving treatment at the Ragama hospital at present.