Three member team to probe prison escape bid

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: A three member team of prison officials will probe the Kalutara prison tunnel episode, Commissioner General of Prisons Major General Vajira Wijegunawardane (retired) said.

A 200 metre tunnel was unearthed in the Kalutara prison allegedly dug up by LTTE detainees over a two year period. Authorities are puzzled as to how this was possible with the presence of a large prison staff.

"We have appointed a special three member team to probe the issue," Major Gen. Wijegunawardene told the Daily News.

He did not discount the involvement of the prison officials in the escape bid of the 65 LTTE cadres. It was found that the tunnel was being dug from 2005 till the 65 LTTEers were transferred to the Colombo Magazine prison.

"Most prison officers have been transferred since the LTTE prisoners began digging the tunnel in 2005. Hence, we have to move very cautiously in our investigations to identify the officers who were in charge during that period", he added.

The LTTE detainees confirmed that they have been digging the escape tunnel since 2005 and they had received assistance from the prison officers till they were transferred to the Colombo Magazine Prison.

"The LTTE cadres cannot dig the tunnel without inside support," Wijegunawardane stressed.

A police team on the instructions of IGP Victor Perera is conducting a parallel investigation into the matter.