ACTIVISTS, RIGHTS GROUPS RAISE ALARM BELLS ON CUSTODIAL DEATHS

On April 1, Satharani Nimesh (26) was arrested by the Welikada Police following a complaint on unauthorised entry into a house in Nawala. But on April 2, Nimesh was pronounced dead. According to the Police, Nimesh had shown signs of mental distress and had behaved in an aggressive manner, banging his head on the wall of his cell, which prompted the Police to transfer him to the Mulleriyawa Mental Hospital where he had passed away while receiving treatment.

- By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe

Following this, on July 22, Rajkumari (41) a domestic worker, died under mysterious circumstances while in the custody of the Welikada Police after being arrested on suspicion of theft. In response to the recent incident, the Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya has recommended the removal of Welikada Police Chief to the National Police Commission while two police officers, who neglected duties, have also been suspended. The move aims to ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death. However, in response to escalating incidents of extrajudicial killings, activists and rights groups organised a candlelight vigil in front of the Welikada Police station in Rajagiriya, demanding law enforcement authorities and the government to end impunity on police brutality and custodial deaths.

Recent incidents of extrajudicial killings

Nimesh was a resident of Meegahakula, Badulla. According to the victim’s mother, Nimesh had called her during the late hours of April 1 and had complained that the Police were troubling him. The mother has pleaded with the Police to protect her son and that she would come the next morning. According to her, Nimesh’s clothes were recovered from a dustbin at the Police station.

Coincidentally or otherwise Rajkumari too was a resident of Badulla. Rajkumari was arrested on May 11, 2023, but she was pronounced dead the following day after being admitted to hospital. The Colombo Magistrate subsequently ruled that Rajkumari’s death was a homicide caused by assault with blunt weapons. Four policemen including a sub-inspector and two sergeants were arrested in connection to Rajkumari’s death.