The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has initiated an investigation into the death of an individual who reportedly died following an alleged assault by Homagama Police officers after being taken into custody.
The Commission launched the probe on its own motion under reference number HRC/SUO/MOTU/13/26 following media reports on the incident, alongside two formal complaints lodged by relatives of the deceased. As part of the preliminary investigation, HRCSL officers visited the Homagama Police Station to gather relevant details and visited the residences of the deceased’s family members to record their statements.
Initial investigative findings by the Commission indicate that the involved police officers appear to have failed to comply with human rights guidelines issued by the Commission regarding the proper treatment of suspects. Consequently, the HRCSL has summoned the officers concerned to appear before the Commission at 1:30 p.m. on October 29, 2026. The Commission has also decided to obtain the official post-mortem examination report from the medical officer who conducted the autopsy.
The Commission expressed serious concern over the persistent occurrence of deaths in police custody and following arrests. A review of complaints received by the HRCSL revealed that between January 2020 and March 31, 2025, a total of 49 deaths occurred in police custody, while 30 deaths resulted from confrontations with police following arrest.
In response to these recurring issues, the HRCSL had previously formulated specific guidelines on the treatment of suspects after consultations with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), which were distributed to all police stations via an official police circular. Reiterating its grave concern over custodial fatalities, the HRCSL emphasized that all persons taken into custody must be treated in accordance with human rights standards and established directives, stating that its final determination will be issued upon completion of all investigative procedures. (Newswire)