Prisoner dies after being shot while allegedly trying to escape

By Norman Palihawadane

A prisoner shot by a prison officer around 2:45 am yesterday, allegedly to foil an escape bid, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

The deceased inmate was identified as M. Ajith Kumara, a 33-year- old resident of Imbulgoda Watta, in the Melsiripura area.

Police said that the inmate had been shot while he was fleeing from the prison. The injured prisoners was found on a plot of land near the Municipal Council building not far from the prison, and admitted to the Kegalle Teaching Hospital.

Police say that he had died while receiving treatment.A high-ranking police officer in the area said that it appears that his leg and arm had suffered injuries.

The Kegalle Headquarters Police are conducting further investigations into the death.

The prisoner had been serving a sentence over a maintenance case.