Maligawatte prison cell break: Two of 11 escaped convicts arrested

(June 08, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Two of the 11 prisoners who had escaped from the prison cell in Maligawatta courts have been arrested.

According to a high ranking police officer, one had been arrested close to the Maradana Technical College and the other had been arrested at the traffic signal lights at Dematagoda, while attempting to escape in a three wheeler along with another two escaped convicts.

Prisons Commissioner and prison spokesman Kenneth Fernando said that of the 11, nine were serving prison terms while the other two were remand prisoners.

The group had escaped after the court proceedings by cutting through a steel mesh in the cell.

The official added that there had been five prison officials including two armed personnel in charge of the prisoners.

The escapees are from Colombo, Ambalangoda, Moratuwa and Ratmalana.

“A special investigation has been launched over the incident,” said Acting Inspector General of Police, N. K. Ilangakoon and added that the DIG in charge of the Colombo region had been entrusted with the task.

Six police teams have been deployed to arrest the suspects.