• Suspected fraudster alleges injury to genitalia during strip search
• Her lawyer complains to HRCSL, filing SC case pending  

The Department of Prisons has launched an investigation into the allegations made by the attorneys of suspected fraudster Thilini Priyamali – who is currently in remand custody on charges related to large-scale financial fraud, which involve well-known individuals, including politicians – that she was stripped naked during a search that caused injury to her genitalia.

When contacted by The Morning, Prisons Media Spokesman and Commissioner of Prisons Chandana Ekanayake said that the Prisons Department has commenced an investigation into the allegations made by Priyamali’s lawyer. He said that further steps will be taken in this regard once the investigation report is complete.

An attorney-at-law appearing on behalf of Priyamali filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) on Tuesday (6), alleging that on 24 November, prison officials had subjected Priyamali to searches on three occasions, during which she had been stripped naked. He claimed that she has been discriminated against due to the unusual nature of the test, and said that she hopes to file a case in this regard with the Supreme Court (SC) in the future. 

“There are officers attached to the Prison Emergency Response Team (involved in this incident). On 24 November, they examined Priyamali on three occasions, during which her groin area was also checked, which isn’t part of the normal procedure. As a result of those tests, her genitalia sustained injuries, and she was hospitalised. Certain technical equipment should typically be used when conducting similar searches, but she was subjected to a physical check,” he alleged.

Priyamali, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in October for allegedly committing large-scale financial fraud that involved several well-known figures, was placed in remand custody after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate in October. She, along with a few other suspects who were arrested by the CID on the same charges, has since been produced before the relevant Magistrate on a number of occasions. During such court proceedings, a few other suspects including Ven. Borelle Sirisumana Thera and Janaki Siriwardhana, who are alleged to have maintained links with her, were granted bail, but Priyamali is still in remand custody.