Prisoner dies after deer attack at Weerawila open prison camp

A prisoner undergoing rehabilitation at the Weerawila open prison camp has died after being attacked by a deer, it is reported.

Open prison camps operate in Sri Lanka with the aim of reintegrating offenders into society; inmates there are usually engaged in maintenance and agricultural work. The unfortunate incident occurred while he was engaged in such work.

The incident took place while he was cleaning the prison camp, it is reported. Although he was injured in the attack and admitted to Deberawewa Hospital for treatment, he succumbed to his injuries.

The deceased is reported to be a 30-year-old man from the Warapalana area. His body has been placed at Deberawewa Hospital and the post-mortem examination is due to be held today.

Weerawila police have begun investigations into the incident. As open prison camps are located in rural and forest-adjacent environments, officials' attention is also expected to turn to protecting rehabilitating inmates from such wildlife-related dangers.