A 46-year-old suspect, who was arrested on two court-issued warrants, has died while in police custody in the Kandeketiya police station , raising fresh concerns about custodial safety and accountability.
The deceased has been identified as Navaratne Mudiyanselage Ajantha Pushpakumara, a resident of Meegahakiula. According to reports, Pushpakumara fell ill while being held at the Kandeketiya Police Station and was initially admitted to the Kandeketiya Divisional Hospital. He was later transferred to the Mahiyangana Base Hospital, where he passed away on Sunday night (November 2).
A post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted today (November 3) at the Mahiyangana Base Hospital to determine the exact cause of death.
Further investigations are being conducted by Chief Inspector H.P. Disanayake, Officer-in-Charge of the Madolsima Police, under the supervision of ASP Wehitha Deshapriya.
This latest incident has rekindled painful memories of a previous custodial death that occurred in the same area more than a decade ago.
In May 2014, a 17-year-old youth named Sandun Malinga, from Kandaketiya, Badulla, died as a result of brutal torture inflicted by several officers attached to the Kandaketiya Police Station.
Following the investigation, the Attorney General filed an indictment (Case No. 01/2015) in the Badulla High Court against six police officers, charging them with causing the wrongful death of the youth.
On January 9, 2017, the Badulla High Court found all six officers guilty and sentenced them to death under Section 296 of the Penal Code.
However, in a later judgment, the convicted officers were acquitted and released, while the Sub-Inspector of Police involved in the case had his sentence reduced to seven years’ imprisonment.
Related Articles – Twists of Justice: Acquittal and Reduced Sentences in Kandaketiya Sadun Malinga Murder Case
17-Year-Old Sandun Malinga Killed in Kandeketiya Police Custody