Two Prison Officers Arrested After Inmate’s Death at Magazine Prison

A jailor and a warden have been arrested following the death of an inmate at Magazine Prison last evening, as authorities launch parallel investigations into the incident.

Police said the arrests were made after a 37-year-old inmate died following an incident reported at the prison on April 27. However, the Department of Prisons, Sri Lanka later confirmed that the deceased was a 38-year-old remand prisoner who had been in custody over drug-related charges.

According to prison officials, two inmates and a prison officer were admitted to hospital with injuries after an incident that took place yesterday morning inside the prison premises. One of the injured inmates later succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

Initial reports indicate that two inmates had attempted to escape from their cells, prompting the intervention of a prison officer. The confrontation that followed during the attempt to prevent the escape is believed to have led to the injuries sustained by those involved.

Meanwhile, the Department of Prisons has launched a special internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. Prison Media Spokesman A.C. Gajanayake said the inquiry is being carried out under the supervision of an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons.

A separate complaint has also been lodged with Borella Police, which has initiated its own special police investigation into the incident.

Authorities are expected to examine the sequence of events that led to the inmate’s death, including the reported escape attempt and the actions taken by prison staff during the intervention.