Nearly 600 inmates have escaped from the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Kandakadu, Welikanda, the Police said.
Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said a clash had broken out after a tense situation had arisen over the death of one person at the Kandakadu Centre.
The 600 inmates have escaped following the clash that had occurred last night, he confirmed.
SSP Thalduwa said that the Army and Police have been deployed to control the situation and apprehend the escaped inmates