The military and the police apprehended 55 of around 90 inmates who escaped from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Welikanda on Friday, the police said.
They were arrested on the same night, they said. The Army and the police were engaged in a special operation to apprehend the other escapees at the time this edition went to press yesterday.
The inmates escaped following a clash between two factions within the facility. A group had fled the Kandakadu Rehabilitation centre where 478 persons were undergoing treatment for drug addiction, the police said.
The dispute between the groups escalated last Friday evening and as a result about 20 people sustained injuries during the altercation, police said.
The clash was allegedly triggered by a dispute over the quality and distribution of the food provided to them, according to reports.
The authorities are trying to quell the tension within the facility and ensure the safety and well-being of the staff and the other inmates.
The Welikanda police said that 26 of the escapees were being held in the Welikanda and Aralaganwila police stations, while 26 others were admitted to the Polonnaruwa and Welikanda hospitals for treatment.
The incident underscores the challenges faced by drug rehabilitation centres in managing internal conflicts and maintaining order among those undergoing treatment for addiction, according to Justice Ministry sources.
