Five dead in prison break attempt

Chaminda Perera

Kuruwita: Five underworld gangsters who were imprisoned at the Kuruwita prison died when they attempted to escape by opening its armoury.

According to Prisons Commissioner Vajira Wijegunawardena these gangsters were getting down from the Prison bus when the incident occurred. These suspects had struggled with prison guards to grab the key of the Prison armoury, he said.

This has led to a shooting resulting in the death of five suspects. Another suspect had managed to escape with a T56 weapon and the Police have already commenced a search operation in the area.

Abeygunawardane said these suspects including underworld gangsters were taken to courts yesterday morning and a furore erupted suddenly when they were returning from the courts.

A few suspects attempted to snatch a weapon of a prison guard while the other tried to grab the key of armoury. Police and the Army have started a search operation to nab the escapee.