Watareka Prison escapees urged to surrender

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Prisons Department is requesting 26 inmates from the Watareka Open Prison Camp who fled for their own safety during Monday's (9) violence in Thalangama, to immediately surrender to authorities.

In a statement, the Prisons Department said on the 9th of May 2022 a group of 181 inmates on work detail were moved to various sites in Colombo and upon their return a group had attacked their buses in Thalangama.

The statement said during the attack 58 inmates fled citing their personal safety, and around 32 of them had returned to the Watareka Open Prison Camp and surrendered.

26 inmates are yet to surrender to the authorities, said the statement.

The Prisons Department urges the said inmates to immediately report to the closest Police Station and surrender or call 011 4 677 177 or 011 4 677 517 for assistance.