The number of inmates who are on hunger strike at the Boossa prison has come down to 13, Prison Department sources said.

Initially, a total of 45 inmates launched a hunger strike over a number of demands.Among those who launched the hunger strike were several well-known underworld figures including Wele Suda and Kanjipani Imran.

Defence Ministry Secretary Kamal Gunaratne, uppon a visit to the prison, said some of their demands were unfair and could not be met.

However, Gunaratne expressed confidence that the hunger strike would "die down gradually".