40 prisoners escape from rehabilitation center amid clashes in Sri Lanka

About 40 prisoners escaped from the state-run Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Sri Lanka's North Central Province amid clashes. Officials gave this information on Thursday.

Rehabilitation center commissioner general Darshana Hettiarachchi told media persons that on Wednesday a clash broke out between two groups of recovering drug addicts, taking advantage of which 40 inmates escaped.

On January 12, more than 60 prisoners escaped from the center.

Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Vijayadas Rajapaksa said steps would be taken to change the management at Kandakadu.

Also in December 2023, more than 130 prisoners escaped from the center during a clash between groups.