By Roy Denish.
Kehelbaddara Padme suffered minor injuries after an altercation with Harak Kata inside Boossa high-security prison, authorities say.
COLOMBO – A physical altercation broke out at the Boossa high-security prison between two high-profile Sri Lankan organised-crime suspects, leaving one of them injured, according to prison authorities.
The confrontation involved Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, widely known as “Harak Kata”, and Mandinu Padmasiri Perera, alias “Kehelbaddara Padme”.
Officials said Kehelbaddara Padme sustained minor injuries during the incident and was subsequently admitted to the prison hospital for treatment.
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the altercation, including whether an existing dispute between the two men may have contributed to the confrontation.
Both men had previously been apprehended overseas and later returned to Sri Lanka under security arrangements.
Kehelbaddara Padme was initially held at Welisara Prison before being transferred to the high-security Boossa facility.
He faces several serious criminal allegations, including an alleged connection to the assassination of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa.
Harak Kata, meanwhile, faces separate allegations relating to international narcotics trafficking and an attempted escape while in Criminal Investigation Department custody.
Prison authorities have launched an internal investigation into the incident and have reportedly strengthened security measures following the clash.
