Police say that the clash between two groups of inmates at Negombo Prison this afternoon (5) was orchestrated by a drug trafficker named Suresh, who is said to have close links with the underworld figure known as “Booru Moona”.Reports indicate that the violence was triggered by allegations that a drug trafficking operation had been exposed.

Two inmates were killed in the incident, while 28 injured prisoners are currently receiving treatment in hospital, according to the Negombo General Hospital.Police stated that two inmates in critical condition had been transferred to the National Hospital.Negombo Prison houses both short-term convicts and remand prisoners and currently accommodates nearly 1,800 inmates.

Police further stated that disruptive inmates broke the locks on special cells and assaulted high-profile prisoners being held there.They also alleged that another group of inmates broke into the prison dispensary and consumed excessive quantities of painkillers in an attempt to become intoxicated.Amid the unrest, female inmates at Negombo Prison were seen staging a protest from the roof of the facility.According to the police, they were protesting in support of the groups involved in the clash.

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