• Suspected thief detained for two days at Kobeigane Police
• Five villagers who tied him to tree and called cops nabbed 
• HRCSL expresses concern over failure to follow guidelines by cops  
• Police Dept acknowledges negligence despite repeated instructions by IGP 
• 79 deaths in custody or following arrest reported between 2020 and March 2025

A man suspected of involvement in several thefts has died after being taken to hospital following his arrest and detention by the Police, with five villagers who apprehended him and handed him over to the authorities subsequently arrested in Kobeigane.

The suspect was apprehended by residents in the Baddegama area and tied to a tree before being handed over to the Kobeigane Police on 25 October. He reportedly remained in Police custody for two days before being admitted to the Nikaweratiya Base Hospital on Tuesday night (27), where he later died.

Following his death, the Kobeigane Police arrested five residents who had apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the authorities.

Relatives of the arrested men claim that the Police were informed within an hour of the suspect being apprehended and tied to the tree, and that he was handed over unharmed. They have questioned why he was not admitted to hospital before his death if he had been assaulted by villagers.

They also claim that the Police had previously been informed on several occasions about the man's alleged involvement in thefts and had instructed residents to apprehend him and hand him over to the authorities.

Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police and Attorney FU Wootler, said the Police had arrested the suspect after receiving information that a person had been tied to a tree. The Police subsequently received information that several civilians had assaulted him, leading to the arrest of three civilians.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has launched an investigation into the death of a 29-year-old father of two from Kiriwaththuduwa, who died after being arrested by Homagama Police on 25 October on suspicion of possessing narcotics.

According to the Police, the suspect developed a sudden illness after being brought to the station and was admitted to the Homagama Base Hospital for treatment, but later died.

The HRCSL said its investigation, initiated on its own motion following media reports, had raised concerns that the officers involved appeared not to have followed its guidelines on the treatment of suspects in custody. Two complaints have also been lodged by the deceased's relatives.

The Commission has visited the Police station and the relatives' residences, summoned the officers concerned to appear before it yesterday (29) and decided to obtain the post-mortem report.

The HRCSL said a review of complaints received between January 2020 and 31 March 2025 had identified 49 reported deaths in Police custody and 30 deaths following confrontations with the Police after arrest.

The Homagama case has also triggered disciplinary and criminal investigations. Three officers, including two Sub-Inspectors and a Police Constable, were suspended with effect from Monday (26), while the former Officer-in-Charge of the Crimes Division was arrested on Wednesday (28) and remanded until 12 November.

The Headquarters Inspector of the Homagama Police has also been indicted over alleged failures to monitor the suspect's condition, supervise officers and ensure proper maintenance of arrest records.

Wootler said no special protection would be afforded to officers found to have engaged in misconduct or unlawful activity, adding that those responsible would face legal and disciplinary action.