Citizen Organisation Files Human Rights Complaint Over Suspect’s Death in Police Custody

The Citizen Organisation has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, requesting an investigation into the deaths of suspects in police custody and alleging that the Inspector General of Police has failed to act on recommendations issued to prevent such incidents.

The complaint was handed over to the Commission by Ravindran Nissankar, Convenor of the Citizen Organisation, who subsequently addressed the media.

In the complaint dated November 3, 2026, Nissankar referred to a recent statement by the Human Rights Commission that nearly 50 suspects had died within police premises over the past five years.

According to the complaint, the Commission’s observations had identified alleged police torture, cruel treatment and violations of suspects’ rights as contributing factors in these deaths. It further alleged that the Inspector General of Police had failed to implement recommendations issued by the Commission to prevent deaths in police custody.

The complaint highlighted the recent death of a suspect at the Homagama Police Station as a particular concern. It alleged that, before the inquest report was made public, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province, Sajeewa Medawatta, had held a media briefing and stated that the suspect had been assaulted by a group of people three days earlier.

The complaint also noted that the services of the Homagama Police Chief Inspector, the Officer-in-Charge of the Crimes Division, the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Corruption Division and the officer responsible for the police cell had been suspended in connection with the incident.

Nissankar further raised concerns about the appointment of the officer who had served as the Officer-in-Charge of Wanathawilluwa Police Station to the post of Chief Inspector at Homagama. He alleged that the officer had been appointed due to personal connections with the current Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya.

The complaint claimed that the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Homagama Division, Chandana Liyanage, had requested the Inspector General around eight months earlier to transfer the officer, citing concerns about his ability to properly manage police administrative duties. However, it alleged that no transfer had been made.

Nissankar also claimed that these circumstances had raised concerns among police officers that the Inspector General was acting to fulfil political interests.

The Citizen Organisation has asked the Human Rights Commission to direct the Inspector General to implement its recommendations, investigate the alleged failure to do so, and intervene to ensure justice for the suspect who died at the Homagama Police Station.