The Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission has decided to look into the recent unrest at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Polonnaruwa.
HRCSL Chairperson Supreme Court Judge (Retired) Rohini Marasinghe stated that a team has been dispatched to the site and that an independent investigation will be conducted based on the team’s findings.
Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Minister of Justice, has requested a report on the mass escape of inmates from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Polonnaruwa.
The authorities have taken control of the tense situation that erupted at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Polonaruwa.
According to Major General Darshana Hetitiarachi, the commissioner general of rehabilitation, 653 inmates have surrendered to police.
After one of the 997 inmates died, tensions flared at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre.
Around 450 inmates had escaped from the facility.
It was reported that an inmate who was brought to the premises a month ago and a counsellor at the premises exchanged words over the possession of tobacco. This heated exchange eventually turned into a full-fledged brawl.The inmate in question had died, and he was a 36-year-old Mutuwal resident.
Following the post-mortem examination, the body was transferred to the Polonnaruwa General Hospital morgue.Inmates who were arrested after surrendering to authorities were transferred to the Maithri Sevana Holiday Resort.
Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Justice, has directed that a report on yesterday’s incident at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre be submitted to him today.
Human rights investigation into Kandakadu unrest
