Human Rights probe into Kandakadu unrest

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has decided to investigate the recent unrest at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, in Polonnaruwa.

HRCSL Chairperson Supreme Court Judge (Retired) Rohini Marasinghe said a team was dispatched to the site and based on the findings of the team, and independent investigation will be carried out

Justice minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has called for a report into mass escape of inmates held at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, in Polonnaruwa.

The uneasy situation that erupted at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Polonaruwa is now under control of the authorities.

Major General Darshana Hetitiarachi, the commissioner general of rehabilitation said, 653 inmates surrendered to the police.

Tensions erupted at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre that houses 997 inmates, after one of them had died.

About 450 inmates had escaped the premises.

It was reported that words were exchanged between an inmate who was brought to the premises a month ago, and a counsellor at the premises over the possession tobacco.

This heated exchange later escalated to an all out brawl.

The inmate in question had died, and he was a 36-year-old resident from Mutuwal.

Following the post-mortem examination the body was movedto the morgue at the Polonnaruwa General Hospital.

The inmates who were arrested after they surrendered to the authorities were moved to the Maithri Sevana Holiday Resort.

Justice Minister Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa has instructed officials to submit a report to him today, on yesterday's incident at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre.

The justice minister said a five-member committee will be appointed to investigate the incident after studying the report.