Kalutara prisons escape tunnel: Probe underway

The Prisons' Commissioner Maj. General Vajira Wijegunawardhana said that the Prisons Department and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are conducting two separate investigations on the escape tunnel found in Kalutara Prison where hardcore Tamil rebel suspects were kept earlier.

The prisons Commissioner said that investigations are already underway to ascertain if any officials were in secret connivance with the Tigers in digging the tunnel.

Prison officials on Thursday discovered a 200-metre long tunnel which was eight feet below the prison ground, leading to the outside of the prison wall and possibly to Kalu Ganga. The tunnel is believed to be dug by the LTTE prisoners around a year ago before they were transferred to Welikada Prison amid their protests.

The tunnel starting from an abandoned toilet pit, complete with electricity and light bulbs was blocked by a stone, half way along the route. Officials said the tunnel was dug 8 feet vertically down through the toilet pit and then was dug horizontally towards the river.