The family of a young man who died following his arrest by Homagama Police has lodged a complaint at Police Headquarters, demanding the immediate arrest of two police officers allegedly involved in assaulting him.
The victim’s wife said the family was seeking justice for her husband’s death, claiming that the officers concerned had only been suspended from duty and had not been arrested or subjected to legal action.
“We came to Police Headquarters to seek justice for what happened to my husband. The officers who assaulted and killed him have only been suspended. They have not been arrested. I want immediate legal action against them,” she said.
Speaking to the media outside Police Headquarters, a representative accompanying the family claimed that the Judicial Medical Officer had determined that the victim, identified as Ishara, died following injuries caused by blunt-force trauma.
According to the representative, the post-mortem findings revealed three fractured ribs, a fractured bone in the neck, brain swelling and bleeding in the head.
The representative said more than 48 hours had passed since Ishara’s death, but the officers allegedly responsible had still not been arrested.
The family also questioned the progress of investigations, claiming that officers attached to the Mirihana investigation unit had recorded statements from relatives but had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the absence of arrests.
They further claimed that a complaint had been lodged with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, but expressed dissatisfaction with the response so far.
The representative warned that the family and supporters would consider further action if the officers were not arrested by the following morning.
Meanwhile, the group also demanded justice for another young man, identified as Madhusanka, who was arrested alongside Ishara.
They alleged that Madhusanka, who is currently in remand custody, had also been assaulted by police and was in a serious condition.
They called for him to be immediately examined by a Judicial Medical Officer or admitted to a prison hospital.
The family and its supporters urged authorities to ensure an independent investigation and take legal action against anyone found responsible for Ishara’s death. (Newswire)