Revolt in Welikade Prison: 10 died several injured

At least 10 inmates in a Sri Lankan prison were killed in a shootout with security for have held prison staff hostage, just a little before posting this news item .

Among the injured are several STF personnel, including its commandant, DIG R.W.M.C. Ranawana. the STF commandant has been reported to have underwent surgery.

The violence was sparked when police commandos attempted to conduct a search at the prison.

Sri Lankan security forces were engaged in a gun battle Friday with rioting prisoners who appeared to have taken control of at least part of the prison in the capital, Colombo.

Police spokesman Prishantha Jayakody said the fighting began when police commandos went to Welikada prison to conduct a search and were attacked by inmates hurling stones.

A Press photographer outside the building saw prisoners waving rifles atop the roof Friday night.
Inmates were later seen waving rifles from the roof of a prison building.

Some reports say the police may have been searching for drugs and smuggled mobile phones.

The prisoner told our correspondent that inmates seized weapons from the prison's weapon store during the confrontation.

- Asian Tribune -