Inmate drowns in Mahaweli Ganga during Pallekele prison escape

An inmate held at the Pallekele Open Air Prison has drowned while attempting to escape from custody, police said.

 

The 33-year-old inmate, a resident of Kumbukwewa in the Aragama area, reportedly tried to flee from prison officers and jumped into the Mahaweli Ganga in an attempt to escape. He was later found drowned.

 

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.