SRI LANKA: A roof top protest by 6 prisoners at Bogambara demanding death or freedom

6 inmates on death row in Bogambara prison started a protest on a roof top demanding authorities either to hang or release them this afternoon.

There are nearly 100 prisoners on death row at the Bogambara prison.

The Prison and Rehabilitation Ministry has already taken steps to shift the Bogambara prison from its city premises to Dumbara area.

Prisons Commissioner General Chandrarathna Pallegama told our news team that 486 prisoners condemned to death and 338 others serving life terms are currently in prisons in the country.

He said that the execution of the death penalty was suspended since 1996 therefore the prisoners who are sentenced to death should serve in prison for life.

Meanwhile 3 inmates of the Mahara Prison staged a roof top protest with regard to a dispute with certain prison officials today.

A Mahara Prison spokesman said that the 3 prisoners gave up the protest and they were transferred to Kuruvita Prison later.

Source: Hiru News, January 3, 2014