பொலிஸ் காவலில் உயிரிழந்த இளைஞர் - உறவினர்கள் எதிர்ப்பில்

Daily Mirror and Newswire report that officers of the Western Province South crime investigation unit arrested the Officer-in-Charge of the Homagama Police Crimes Division in connection with a death in police custody. Newswire says the officer had been interdicted before the arrest; Ada Derana (සිංහල) and Ada Derana (தமிழ்) also describe the officer as suspended. Sri Lanka Mirror reports that three officers attached to the station, including the OIC, had their duties suspended.

Newswire identifies the deceased as Ishara Harshana, while WhatNews (සිංහල) reports that a 29-year-old man died in a cell at Homagama Police Headquarters. Newswire says the case concerns an alleged assault by police officers. It also reports that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called for an independent inquiry and said officers are responsible for the safety and welfare of people in their custody.

Newswire reports that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka opened an investigation on its own initiative after media coverage and two complaints from the deceased’s relatives. The commission’s staff visited the police station and relatives’ homes to gather information. Newswire says preliminary findings indicated that the officers involved appeared not to have followed the commission’s guidance on treating suspects. The commission has summoned the officers concerned to appear at 1:30 p.m. on October 29, 2026, and plans to obtain the autopsy report, according to Newswire. Newsfirst says those summoned include the Homagama station chief and Crimes Division chief; Hiru News (සිංහල) reports that three officers were summoned.

Newswire reports that the commission cited 49 deaths in police custody and 30 deaths in confrontations with police following arrest between January 2020 and March 31, 2025. It says the commission previously developed suspect-treatment guidelines in consultation with the Inspector General of Police and circulated them to stations. Sri Lanka Mirror reports that Homagama Magistrate Rajinda Jayasuriya directed Colombo South Crimes Division to expedite the investigation and bring suspects before the court, after hearing a motion by relatives and civil society organisations. Newswire says investigations are continuing and the commission will issue its final determination when its inquiry is complete.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.