Minister orders independent probe into death in Homagama Police custody

Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka Mirror and Newswire report that the Officer-in-Charge of the Homagama Police Crimes Division was arrested in connection with a man’s death in police custody. Daily Mirror says officers from the Western Province South Divisional Crimes Division made the arrest; Newswire identifies the unit as the Western Province South Crime Investigation Division. WhatNews (සිංහල) reports that the deceased was 29 years old, while Newswire identifies him as Ishara Harshana.

Ada Derana reports that the Homagama Police OIC was interdicted following the death. Sri Lanka Mirror says three officers attached to the station, including the Crimes Division OIC, had their duties suspended over the incident.

Newswire reports that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) began an inquiry on its own initiative after media reports and two formal complaints from the deceased’s relatives. Commission officers visited Homagama Police Station and the family’s residences to gather information. Newswire says preliminary findings indicated that the officers concerned appeared not to have followed the commission’s guidance on the treatment of suspects. Newsfirst and Hiru News also report that the commission summoned Homagama police officers; Newswire gives the appearance time as 1:30 p.m. on October 29, 2026.

Newswire reports that the commission decided to obtain the official post-mortem report and said it would issue its final determination after completing the inquiry. According to Newswire, the HRCSL had developed suspect-treatment guidance in consultation with the Inspector General of Police and circulated it to police stations. Newswire says the commission’s review recorded 49 deaths in police custody and 30 deaths in confrontations with police following arrest from January 2020 through March 31, 2025.

Sri Lanka Mirror reports that Homagama Magistrate Rajinda Jayasuriya directed the Colombo South Crimes Division to expedite its inquiry and bring suspects before the court. Newswire reports that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called for an independent inquiry and said police must ensure the safety and well-being of people in their custody.