Inmates at the Anuradhapura prison in Sri Lanka rioted demanding officials to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Two inmates were killed and another five were injured in the riot which saw parts of the building set alight as the prisoners attempted to escape on March 21.

The Anuradhapura Police, riot police and the Special Tasks Force were deployed to prevent any of the prisoners from escaping.

According to reports, there were no positive COVID-19 patients inside the prison at the time of the riot.