(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The Polonnaruwa Magistrate has ordered to remand 201 inmates of the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in connection with the rioting incident that took place on Sunday night.
Security forces have taken 514 inmates into custody after the clash between two groups of inmates at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre in Welikanda Polonnaruwa.
Meanwhile, 35 inmates who escaped from the Center surrendered to police roadblocks on 2 occasions, Military Spokesman Brigadier Ravi Herath told media yesterday. However, it is reported that another 33 detainees are still missing and search operations are underway to apprehend them
Meanwhile it has been reported that on the night of the 7th, the rioting inmates have also clashed with a group of military personnel at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Center, who intervened to settle the clash between two groups of inmates.
According to Rehabilitation Commissioner General Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi, the inmates have severely damaged government property including four vehicles in the camp.
An army officer of the rehabilitation camp told Dinamina that the riotous inmates broke into the armory of the rehabilitation center and took away the money and goods that the army had in the camp.
Due to the attack by the detainees, a bus belonging to the Rehabilitation Department and four other vehicles have been severely damaged and they have also caused damage to televisions, refrigerators, beds and many items used by the detainees and the army, Major General Darshana Hettiarachchi said adding that the damage has not been assessed yet.
Major General Hettiarachchi said that following the clash between two groups of inmates in the rehabilitation camp, one group has been admitted to the Senapura Rehabilitation Center, while another group of around 256 people are staying in the center’s buildings.
Based on court orders, people addicted to drugs are referred to the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Center for a one-year rehabilitation period. The inmates are referred to counseling programs for a period of six months while they will be transferred to the Senapura Rehabilitation Center for the other six months to various vocational training.
