An inmate from the Bogambara prisons reportedly fell off a wall and succumbed to his injuries as he tried to escape with five others today morning, Kandy SSP Sudath Masinghe said.
The inmate had fallen off a wall 30ft high with another prisoner who sustained injuries.
Police have launched a search for one of the inmates who escaped while two others were arrested.
The deceased was identified as Abdul Rahmee Thasmin (30) from Katukeliyawa, Anuradadhapura. He was held for a drug related offence.
Prison officials had open fire into the air to prevent the prisoners escaping.
A postmortem is due to be held on the prisoner later in the day.
