Matara Prison Probes Fatal Incident After Tree Branch Falls

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Matara Prison has launched an investigation into an incident where a falling tree branch resulted in the death of an inmate and injuries to 11 others.

Prison spokesperson Gamini B. Dissanayake stated that due to this emergency situation, the Sri Lanka Special Task Force and the military have been deployed to enhance security outside the prison.

The accident occurred last night, leading to the death of an inmate at the Matara Prison. 

The Matara General Hospital reported that 11 other inmates were injured in the incident. Seven of the injured inmates have been treated and discharged from the hospital, while one inmate remains in critical condition, according to a hospital spokesperson.

Prison officials noted that over 400 inmates were present in the building at the time of the accident, which occurred around 10:30 PM.

The deceased was a 34-year-old resident of Midigama, Matara, who was serving a two-month sentence for drug-related charges.