Sri Lanka, April 23 -- Approximately two hundred inmates have now been transferred from the Matera Prison to the Agunukolapelessa Prison following the unrest last evening.

The Matara Prison currently houses 506 inmates, with more transfers to the Agunukolapelessa Prison scheduled for today.

The unrest occurred last night when a group of inmates, protesting the planned transfer of individuals imprisoned for underworld activities to another facility, engaged in riots.

Prison officials initially attempted to regain control by firing shots into the air.

Subsequently, police and the Police Special Task Force were called in to secure the perimeter of the prison.

A tear gas assault was launched early this morning as an additional measure to...