Twenty escapees who tried to hijack bus from group of pilgrims nabbed

Kandakadu rehabilitation centre clash

By Norman Palihawadane

Welikanda and Pulathisigama police took into custody 34 unruly inmates of the Kandakadu rehabilitation centre.

Twenty inmates who had escaped from the rehabilitation centre and tried to hijack a bus from a group of pilgrims returning from the Somawathiya Chaitya were nabbed by the Pulathisigama police on Sunday evening (04).

Another 14 inmates who rebelled against military personnel running the facility were taken into custody yesterday.

Ten soldiers and inmates were injured in the clash between the troops and inmates and the injured have been admitted to the Polonnaruwa hospital.

Two separate investigations were in progress by the Welikanda police and Pulathisigama police.

Rehabilitation Commissioner General Maj Gen (Retd.) Darshana Hettiarachchi, contacted for comment, said that there had been some disputes and disturbances in the rehabilitation centre and those responsible were now in police custody.