At least 50 inmates have escaped from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Polonnaruwa following a clash between two groups, the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation said.
The police and army have been called in to control the situation, and an immediate search team has been dispatched to locate the escaped inmates.
When asked about this, an officer of the Welikanda Police Station stated that there had been a conflict between a group of people at the place.
It is also reported that a large amount of property has been destroyed.
Later, another group fled from the center, said the official.