Three Homagama Police officers suspended over suspect’s death in custody

Newswire reports that Homagama Police took a suspect into custody on October 25 over alleged possession of 490 milligrams of ICE and that he later died while in custody. WhatNews (සිංහල) reports that the deceased was a 29-year-old man held in the station’s cell. Newswire says the Human Rights Commission began looking into reports of an alleged assault by police after the man was taken into custody.

Daily Mirror and Newswire report that the Inspector General of Police suspended Homagama Police Headquarters Inspector M.R.S. Prajan Senanayake. Newswire says the suspension took effect on October 28 and followed alleged failures to monitor the detainee’s condition, instruct investigating officers and maintain accurate records concerning the custody. Newswire also reports that the inspector failed to supervise officers adequately, allowing two people to be unlawfully detained at the station. Lankadeepa reports that he was faulted for not informing the Western Province Senior Deputy Inspector General about the incident before it was raised with him.

Newswire and Sri Lanka Mirror report that three other Homagama officers, including the Crimes Division Officer-in-Charge, had their duties suspended in connection with the death, with the suspensions effective October 26 according to Newswire. Newswire, WhatNews (සිංහල) and Sri Lanka Mirror report that the Crimes Division OIC was arrested. Newswire says he was due to be brought before court on October 29. Sri Lanka Mirror reports that the Homagama Magistrate directed the Colombo South Crimes Division to expedite its work and bring suspects before court; it says the direction followed a motion by the deceased’s relatives and civil society organisations.

Newswire reports that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka initiated an inquiry on its own motion after media coverage and two complaints from relatives. The Commission’s officers visited the police station and family residences to gather information, and its initial findings indicated possible non-compliance with its guidance on the treatment of suspects, according to Newswire. Newswire says the Commission summoned the officers concerned to appear at 1:30 p.m. on October 29 and decided to obtain the autopsy report.