• One Police Sergeant and PC removed from duties
• Directs CID to commence an impartial investigation
• BASL calls on IGP for action

The Acting Inspector General of Police Senior DIG Priyantha Weerasooriya has submitted a recommendation to the Ministry of Public Security to be presented to the National Police Commission (NPC), seeking to remove the Officer-In-Charge of the Welikada Police station, following a custodial death of suspect arrested in Nugegoda, the Police Department said.

Issuing a statement last evening, the Police said that the Act. IGP has also directed the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to take over the investigations and has also suspended two personnel serving at the Nugegoda Police station, a sergeant and a Constable, for dereliction of duty.

Meanwhile, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) also called on the Acting Inspector General of Police to ensure the conduct of an immediate and impartial investigation into the recent incident where a youth was alleged to have died as a result of torture at the Welikada Police Station. The BASL said that it will also closely monitor the developments in this regard, and would take the necessary measures to ensure due process if followed and that the rule of law is ensured.

In a statement signed by BASL President attorney Rajeev Amarasuriya and BASL Secretary attorney Chatura A. Galhena, the BASL expressed concerns about the incident as well as the circumstances surrounding the incident. It read: “Time and again over decades, the BASL has cautioned that it is imperative that law enforcement agencies, including Sri Lanka Police, exercise great caution and act with utmost care and responsibility to prevent such incidents, as these incidents erode trust and confidence in the system of administration of justice. The BASL regrets to note that notwithstanding the same, custodial deaths continue and the BASL is concerned that the authorities are slow in taking meaningful action to prevent the same occurring as well as taking expeditious steps and measures to bring the culprits to justice.”

The repetition of such incidents, the BASL added, will lead to the allegation of a climate of impunity on the part of the State, which is most detrimental to all citizens of the country. The BASL expressed willingness to support measures that can be initiated to adopt a principle of zero tolerance in custodial deaths and also capacity building initiatives for law enforcement authorities including the Police.

The Daily Morning’s attempts to contact Senior Superintendent of Police and Police Media Spokesperson Buddhika Manatunga to seek further details of the investigation on the above mentioned custodial death were not successful. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka was also not reachable to discuss whether it has initiated any action into the incident.