Police and Special Task Force officers have been deployed for security to the Anuradhapura prison, at which a tense situation left two inmates dead yesterday.

The Police Media Division said the prisoners had committed acts of vandalism to protest against the decision to temporarily bar visitors in a bid to curb the spread of COVID – 19.

Police further said that prison officials had opened fire at the prisoners after attempts made to control the situation proved to be futile.

The incident left two dead and eight injured.

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