Prisons Commissioner arrested over Welikada Prison riot

A Commissioner of Prisons Department Emil Ranjan Lamahewa was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) last night in connection with the Welikada Prison riot in 2012.

Lamahewa, who was the then Prisons Superintendent in charge of the Magazine Prison, was arrested by CID officials at his official residence at No. 142, Baseline Road, Colombo 9 last night (28), police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Inspector Niyomal Rangajeewa of the Police Narcotic Bureau was arrested yesterday by the CID over the same incident.

At least 27 prison inmates were killed and several others were injured in clashes between the inmates and guards at the Welikada prison in November 2012.