Twenty inmates escaped from the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Center today (04) morning and attempted to rob a bus in the Somavathi sanctuary. In the process, a person was stabbed, and fifty thousand rupees along with two mobile phones were stolen. Ten people and an army soldier sustained injuries and were referred to Welikanda Hospital.
The reasons behind the conflict have not been disclosed, but Welikanda Police report that the escaped inmates damaged the kitchens and several other areas of the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Center. The police have taken custody of iron poles, clubs, and drugs used during the conflict.
The group of twenty escaped inmates tried to hijack a bus that had come for pilgrimage to Somavathi, resulting in the theft of money and property damage. Fourteen others involved in these incidents have been arrested by the police. Welikanda Police Station Commander, Inspector Samantha Ratnayake, confirmed that the arrested individuals would be presented in court tomorrow (05).
The Welikanda Police, along with the army and security forces, have successfully brought the situation under control at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Center. Escapes and clashes among the inmates have reportedly occurred on multiple occasions, both day and night, raising concerns about the overall security and management of the center.
