• Letters also sent to Public Security and Justice Mins. alleging Police interference 

The Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) organisation said that it is planning to lodge a complaint with the CID alleging bias in court proceedings involving the Police, following a series of incidents where individuals allegedly died from shootings while in Police custody.

Speaking to The Daily Morning on Wednesday (4), Committee Convenor Sudesh Nandimal Silva alleged that the Police are attempting to suppress the investigation into the murder of a young individual who was allegedly shot dead by the Police on 12 January, Kankanamge Krishan. Silva claimed that even though the Committee is trying to represent the victim, the Police are continuously influencing the investigation. 

"The president of our organisation, attorney Senaka Perera represented the aggrieved party. At first, he was opposed by the other party who said that he could not represent the victim. Their rationale was that the Police could represent him," Silva said. He claimed that the authorities have continuously hindered the investigation and are now creating false evidence against Perera to sabotage the inquiry. Silva further stated that yesterday, the Committee filed a complaint with the Justice Minister regarding the false allegations against Perera.

In the letters sent by Perera to the Public Security and Justice Ministers complaining about the alleged false and prejudicial allegations made by the Police at the Polonnaruwa Magistrate’s Court (case number AR/73/25), the following is claimed: “On 12 January in Welikanda, Polonnaruwa, a 28-year-old man was allegedly fatally shot by Police officers. According to Police reports, three suspects travelling on a motorcycle ignored an order to stop at a roadblock, fled to a nearby residence, obstructed officers in the execution of their duties, and one suspect allegedly attempted to attack the officers with a sharp weapon. In response, the Police opened fire claiming self-defence, inflicting gunshot injuries to the suspect's leg and chest, resulting in his death. The matter is under Magisterial inquiry in the Court. I appear for the aggrieved party (the family of the deceased) in these proceedings. On 17 February, the Police objected to my appearance, claiming that I had no legal right to appear on behalf of the aggrieved party. The Magistrate permitted me to make submissions. On 20 February, I addressed a letter to the Inspector General of Police, specifically regarding the incident on 17 February,  expressing my concerns about the repeated attempts to prevent me from representing the aggrieved party. On 3 March, the Polonnaruwa Police addressed the Court and stated that many things are happening outside the Court and that the case was being influenced through the media. The Police presented a document showing a website article. I have made no comments or statements whatsoever to any media outlet regarding this case that could have influenced the proceedings or the witnesses. The Police specifically alleged that I had influenced two witnesses. According to the Police, this alleged influence took place on 17 February. However, the two witnesses who testified in Court on 17 February made no complaint whatsoever of any influence by me. The Police further stated that my actions amounted to contempt of court. The Magistrate directed that if there was any evidence of witness influence, appropriate action should be taken accordingly. On 3 March, the mother of the deceased H.M. Damayanthi lodged a complaint at the Polonnaruwa Police (Complaint No. 283/31/CIB I). In her complaint, she and her younger son claimed that they overheard Police officers (on the Court premises) influencing the same witnesses (whom the Police allege I influenced). The officers were allegedly telling the witnesses: We need to remove Perera and instructing them to state that Perera has influenced you. Allegations made by the Police form part of a concerted effort by the Police to prevent me from continuing to appear in this case, cover up the real issues in the matter by falsely imputing wrongdoing to me, and potentially lead to my imprisonment or further harassment. These statements have tarnished my professional reputation, and interfered with the proper administration of justice. If such conduct by a senior Police officer goes unchecked, it will set a dangerous precedent and discourage members of the Bar from fearlessly representing their clients in the face of institutional pressure. I request that you direct an immediate inquiry into the conduct of the officers of the Polonnaruwa Police.”

Custodial deaths in Sri Lanka remain a persistent issue, with the Human Rights Commission recording 49 deaths in Police custody and 30 deaths due to Police encounters between January 2020 and March of last year (2025). Perera has been involved in multiple custodial death cases including making legal representations in the high-profile death of Sathsara Nimesh at the Welikada Police Station.