1 killed, 11 injured after branch falls on Matra prison buildings
One inmate has been killed with 11 others injured after the branch of a Bo tree fell onto two buildings housing prisoners at the Matara Prison last night (Jan. 01).
Prisons Commissioner and Department Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayake said the incident occurred around 10.14pm yesterday after a branch fell onto Wards G and F at the prison.
The deceased inmate is a 32-year-old resident of Midigama, while the injured are still receiving treatment at Matara Hospital.
Nearly 100 inmates were housed in Wards G and F at the time of the incident and Prison officials have since relocated the remaining inmates to a safer building.
The police, Special Task Force and the army were deployed to strengthen security outside the prison and the Matara Prison authorities have commenced an investigation into the incident, the Prisons Spokesman adds.
