Gunmen opened fire on a prison bus near Colombo on Monday, killing five prisoners and two warders on their way to court in what was believed to be a gangland dispute, officials said, APA reports quoting Reuters.
Thushara Upuldeniya, spokesman for the Prison Department, said an armed gang blocked the bus in Kalutara, 40 km (25 miles) south of the capital, transporting the prisoners, who included an underworld figure.
"All five prisoners and two prison officers died. Nine other officers were admitted to hospital with injuries,” Upuldeniya told Reuters.