Chaos inside Welikade prison, Tamil prisoners shifted, Fonseka safe

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 January 2012, 12:18 GMT]
Tamil political prisoners detained in the Magazine prison in Welikada have been removed to the main prison complex for safe custody following tense situation created by suspects who are involved in drug trafficking offences, prison sources said.

Prison sources said, due to heavy resistance from the inmates, the tense situation is still prevailing in the Magazine remand prison in Welikada despite the heavy presence of the military and Special Forces.

Law enforcement authorities have been unable to move inside the prison. Inmates suspected for drug offences are suspected to be involved in the chaos that took place this afternoon. The police did not comment on whether the suspects were fired at by the police, according to Colombo media sources.

The removal of Tamil political prisoners, according to prison sources, took place Tuesday afternoon around 3 p.m.