One prisoner died in Sri Lanka as prison guards foiled an attempt by several inmates of a breakout, police said. Seven prisoners tried to escape from the penitentiary in Mahara on the outskirts of the capital Colombo, the police spokesman's office said, reported AP.

One prisoner dies in Sri Lanka after several attempt breakout

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena Saturday granted amnesty to 762 convicts to mark a key Buddhist anniversary but resisted calls to release a firebrand Buddhist monk.

Sri Lanka frees convicts to mark Buddhist anniversary

The prisoners were being driven to a court when the worst gang-related attack in decades rocked the island nation

Gunmen attack prison bus to leave 5 inmates, two guards dead