A jailer and a female prison officer have been arrested by Sri Lanka Police in connection with the death of an inmate at Colombo Magazine Prison.

Police said the arrests were made following investigations into the death of a 38-year-old remand prisoner after unrest inside the prison on 27 April.

According to the Department of Prisons, two inmates who had been detained on narcotics-related charges had allegedly come out of their cells and attempted to escape. During efforts by prison officers to prevent the escape, a confrontation had broken out, resulting in injuries to the two inmates and a prison officer.

The injured parties were admitted to hospital, where one of the inmates later died.

However, police said the arrests were made following a complaint received by Borella Police and subsequent preliminary investigations.

Prisons Spokesperson A.C. Gajanayake said a special internal inquiry had also been launched under the supervision of an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons.

Separately, police said the deceased was identified as Rajapaksha Minimuthu Pathiralage Thushara Sampath, also known as Manju, a resident of Grandpass who had been remanded by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court over allegations of possessing 14 grams of heroin.

A 30-year-old remand prisoner who was also injured in the incident is currently receiving treatment in hospital. He had reportedly been remanded by the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court.

The deceased inmate’s sister, R.M.P. Rathnawali, claimed she had received information that her brother had died at the location where the assault allegedly took place.

Sri Lanka Police said further investigations are ongoing.