Sri Lanka, July 8 -- A riot began at the Negombo prison when inmates behaved violently, assaulted prison officers, and held them hostage as around ten officers entered to retrieve detainees, according to investigations by the Negombo Headquarters Police.

Prison Superintendent Gajanayake granted a request by approximately 50 inmates to meet their relatives, and police sources state that the officers were taken hostage when they went inside the prison following this decision.

Gunshots were heard from inside the prison where the inmates were held as prison officers and Police Special Task Force personnel worked together to rescue the captive officers.

An exchange of fire took place between the officers and the inmates when Police Special ...