freedom from torture in sri lanka

Police Brutality Allegations Reported in Habaraduwa

A woman from the Habaraduwa area alleges that the Habaraduwa Police are committing inhumane assaults, false cases and threats against her family. She states that after filing a fundamental rights case against the Habaraduwa Police under the number SCFR/01/25 in January 2025, the police pressured her to withdraw the case in various ways. She also states that after rejecting those demands, her family has been facing threats and harassment. Accordingly, on March 17, 2026, she alleges that several police officers not wearing uniforms entered her house from behind, arrested the…

Kobeigane, Sri Lanka — Serious allegations of police brutality have emerged from the Kobeigane area, where a local mason, Pradeep Kumara, was reportedly subjected to inhumane treatment during a police investigation into a theft. According to reports, the incident began after homeowners lodged a complaint regarding the theft of gold items from their residence. Mr. Kumara, who had reportedly visited the house on a previous occasion for work, was asked to appear at the police station to assist with the investigation. Demonstrating willingness to cooperate, he voluntarily presented himself to…

Colombo, November 3 – The death of a 46-year-old man while in the custody of the Kandeketiya Police has triggered renewed concerns over the safety of detainees and the persistent lack of accountability within Sri Lanka’s law enforcement system. The deceased has been identified as Navaratne Mudiyanselage Ajantha Pushpakumara, a resident of Meegahakiula. According to official reports, Mr. Pushpakumara was arrested on court-issued warrants. He reportedly fell ill while detained at the Kandeketiya Police Station and was subsequently admitted to the Kandeketiya Divisional Hospital. His condition necessitated a transfer to…

Colombo, October 3 – Justice Demanded for Alleged Torture and Illegal Detention by Kandana Police Colombo. Serious allegations have emerged against the Kandana Police for violating basic rights, raising urgent calls for accountability. This not only violated the basic rights of the individual and criminal laws, but also ignored the recommendations from the Hon. Supreme Court and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, as well as the circulars issued by the Inspector General of Police. Thilina Chanaka Fernando, 34, a resident of Suduwella, Ja-Ela, was reportedly unlawfully arrested…

In a landmark judgment that reinforces the importance of accountability in law enforcement, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered six police officers attached to the Thambuttegama Police to pay Rs. 1.2 million in compensation to a youth who was brutally assaulted during a protest in 2012. The compensation must be paid personally by the officers, marking a rare instance where law enforcement officials have been held individually liable for the violation of fundamental rights. The Court also instructed the Attorney General to examine the possibility of initiating criminal…

Serious concerns have emerged following the death of a remand prisoner, who was in custody at the Angunukolapelessa Prison after being charged with contempt of court for possessing a mobile phone. The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Weerasekara Arachchige Asanka Indunil, a married father of one from New Town, Embilipitiya. According to family members, Asanka had visited the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court on April 30, 2025, to post bail for a friend involved in a traffic-related case. During court proceedings, his mobile phone reportedly rang, leading to his immediate arrest…

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the evidentiary hearing into the controversial death of 26-year-old Sathsara Nimesh, who allegedly died after being assaulted while in police custody, commence on May 16. The directive was issued today by Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake, following a formal request from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is currently conducting investigations into the incident. According to submissions made by CID officials, Nimesh’s body was exhumed on April 23 in accordance with a court order, and a three-member medical board conducted a fresh post-mortem…

Colombo Additional Magistrate Keminda Perera has ordered the exhumation of the body of Sathsara Nimesh, a young man from Meegahakivula in Badulla, who died while in the custody of Welikada Police. The order includes conducting a comprehensive post-mortem examination by a panel of three specialist doctors, with findings to be submitted to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The directive came in response to a motion filed by Nimesh’s mother, who raised serious concerns about the initial post-mortem and the circumstances surrounding her son’s death. Representing the family, Attorney-at-Law Lakshan Dias told…

Police Torture | “One who lives with Dhamma is protected by the Dhamma”

K.G. Nishantha, a 37 year old fisherman residing at Thelkoladeniya Estate, Kottawa has been seriously injured as a result of inhuman assault by the Galle Akmeemana Police. The man was arrested by the Akmeemana Police on September 5th on charges of stealing an old battery. The incident was settled after the owner found the battery there. However, the man has been detained for three days pending further investigations. There he says that he was beaten in a very inhuman manner. He was later released by the Akmeemana Police, after being…

Tag: freedom from torture in sri lanka

Police Brutality Allegations Reported in Habaraduwa

Allegations of Police Assault in Kobeigane Spark Calls for Justice

Custodial Death at Kandeketiya Police Station

Calls for Justice as Kandana Police Accused of Torture and Illegal Detention

Supreme Court Orders Thambuttegama Police Officers to Personally Pay Rs. 1.2 Million to Assault Victim

Police Torture | “One who lives with Dhamma is protected by the Dhamma”

Akmeemana police who assaulted to buttock