On Monday, first responders rushed to Mahara prison, 10 miles north of the capital Colombo, in attempts to break up the right, which broke out during the night.

The violence came as authorities tried to quell the protests over rising coronavirus infections in the country's crowded jails.

Inmates have demanded an increase in coronavirus testing and new isolation facilities for infected prisoners.

Hundreds of additional police were deployed to help the guards and strengthen security at the prison.

Flames were visible from the scene on.

A senior police officer was quoted saying that the injuries and fatalities look to be the result of gunshot wounds.

The director off the Rig Armor Hospital, Shelton Pereira, where the inmates from the prison were undergoing treatment, warned that most of those being cared for were in a critical condition.