Four killed in prison bus ambush

by Sarath Malalasekera

Three jailors and a remand prisoner were killed and four other prisoners injured when gunmen opened fire at a Black Maria transporting a group of prisoners on the Minuwangoda Road in Gampaha yesterday morning.

Four critically injured prisoners were rushed to the Gampaha Hospital, Police said. According to investigations directed by Western Province North DIG Asoka Wijetilleke, the Black Maria had left the Negombo Remand Prison for the Gampaha Magistrates Courts with the remand prisoners when it was ambushed near the Attanagalu Oya.

The Black Maria was blocked by a white Mitsubishi Canter truck from which the gunmen had opened fire at the prison vehicle, before fleeing. Police said they believe there were four gunmen in the Canter.

Prisons Commissioner General Rumy Marzook visited the scene yesterday immediately after the incident with his senior officials to conduct on the spot investigations. According to investigators the dead prisoner identified as Ambegoda had 300 cheating cases pending before Courts.

The motive for the killing is being investigated, but according to a senior prison officer the assailants have been on a mission to abduct a prisoner in the Black Maria. Gampaha Police HQI S. Samaranayake is investigating with PC Wasantha Anura Shantha of Gampaha Police.

Another remand prisoner was gunned down recently inside a Black Maria by another inmate. The incident took place opposite the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Courts.