Inmates at the Anuradhapura prison in Sri Lanka rioted demanding officials to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Two inmates were killed and another five were injured in the riot which saw parts of the building set alight as the prisoners attempted to escape on March 21.

The Anuradhapura Police, riot police and the Special Tasks Force were deployed to prevent any of the prisoners from escaping.

According to reports, there were no positive COVID-19 patients inside the prison at the time of the riot.

(Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka) : Two (02) inmates have died and five(05) others had sustained injuries following a clash at the Anuradhapura prison, between the inmates and the prison guards.

The inmates of the Anuradhapura Prison had commenced a protest yesterday (21) evening, demanding the authorities to take necessary steps to prevent the spreading of Corona Virus (Covid19) inside the prison. When the prison guards had tried to prevent the inmates, it had led to a clash. During this clash, the prison inmates had tried to escape and the prison guards had opened fire resulting in seven (07) inmates being injured.

They were later admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital where, two of the injured prisoners had succumbed to their injuries.
The police said that none of the prisoners had managed to escape during this incident. However, the Anuradhapura Police, riot police and the Special Tasks Force have been deployed to prevent any of the prisoners from escaping.

According to government statistics, there were no positive Covid19 patients were reported inside the prison by the time when this article was written.