Six inmates of the Negombo Prison are staging a protest on the rooftop of the prison this afternoon (30) demanding that the proceedings be expedited and bail be granted, Negombo Police said.

The Negombo Police further stated that one suspect has been arrested on charges of aiding and abetting the four inmates who are in remand custody on charges of heroin trafficking.

The Negombo SP's office stated that police officers have been deployed to control the situation.

The rooftop protest at the Negombo protest took place a day after a major riot broke out at the Mahara prison killing 08 inmates and leaving over 70 injured.

Inmates of the prisons across the country are demanding relief as a COVID19 sub-cluster within prisons is rapidly expanding.