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Violent clashes at Sri Lanka's Welikada prison 'Eleven killed' in clashes at Sri Lanka's Welikada prison
(35 minutes later)
Violent clashes have erupted between inmates and prison guards at the Welikada prison in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, reports say. At least 11 people have died in clashes between inmates and guards at Sri Lanka's Welikada prison in the capital Colombo, hospital officials say.
Several people are said to have been wounded when police commandos came under attack while conducting a search operation in the jail. Dozens more were injured when police commandos came under attack while conducting a search at the prison.
One report says inmates were seen waving rifles from the roof of a prison building. Gunfire has also been heard. There are reports of ongoing gunfire, and that inmates have seized weapons. The army has been called in and surrounding roads are closed.
The army has been called in and roads leading to the prison are closed. Up to 4,000 inmates are held in the jail, which has seen violence before.
A prisoner who was in the jail at the time told BBC Sinhala's Saroj Pathirana that clashes broke out when police commandos entered the jail and started taking prisoners out of their cells and handcuffing them.
Some reports say the police may have been searching for drugs and smuggled mobile phones.
The prisoner told our correspondent that inmates seized weapons from the prison's weapon store and damaged the main entrance of the prison. He added that shooting could still be heard in the prison.
Up to 4,000 inmates are believed to be held at Welikada prison, which has seen similar violence in recent years.
In January 25 prisoners and four guards were wounded when clashes erupted, and in 2010 more than 50 police and prison guards were wounded during a raid to seize mobile phones.In January 25 prisoners and four guards were wounded when clashes erupted, and in 2010 more than 50 police and prison guards were wounded during a raid to seize mobile phones.
After the latest violence the director of the national hospital, Dr Anil Jayasinghe, told the BBC: "Ten people were brought to the hospital dead. A further 37 have been admitted suffering injuries, amongst them prison and police officers."
A prisoner who was in the jail at the time told the BBC Sinhala's Saroj Pathirana that clashes broke out when police commandos entered the jail, taking prisoners out of their cells and handcuffing them.
Some reports say the police may have been searching for drugs and smuggled mobile phones.
The prisoner told our correspondent that inmates seized weapons from the prison's weapon store during the confrontation.
Eyewitness reports say inmates were seen waving rifles from the roof of a prison building. But a senior advisor to the prison ministry told BBC Sinhala that the situation was under control.