An inmate among the escapees from Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre, who was apprehended in the jungle at Welikanda has died while receiving medical treatment, the police said.
Police and army personnel had found him on November 10 while wandering in Welikanda Trikona Kanda forest reserve.
He had been lost in the jungle without food for several days. He was admitted to Polonnaruwa Hospital in a starving condition and pronounced dead last night.
The deceased was identified as a 31-year-old who was referred to the Kandakadu facility by the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court for rehabilitation.
On Sunday night (Nov. 06), a clash was reported between two groups of inmates at the facility. As the situation was escalating, at least 50 inmates made their escape.
The police and army have been called in for assistance to take the situation under control. A special search operation was subsequently launched to apprehend the escapees.
Following the tense situation, 301 inmates in total have been sent back for rehabilitation while 215 inmates who were involved in the clash were remanded until November 17.
