freedom from torture in sri lanka

Drug Suspect Shot While Allegedly Attempting to Escape Police Custody in Galgamuwa

May 4 – A suspect arrested on drug-related charges was shot and injured while allegedly attempting to escape from police custody near the Galgamuwa Police Station yesterday. According to reports, the suspect was among several individuals being escorted to the Galgamuwa Court when the incident occurred. Police stated that while officers were loading the suspects into a jeep at the police station, two suspects who had been handcuffed together attempted to flee. The suspects reportedly ran nearly 75 meters from the police station gate before police opened fire in an…

May 4 – A 40-year-old inmate of the Welikada Prison, identified as Oshadha Sanjeewa, has reportedly died following an alleged assault by prison officers, raising concerns over the treatment of prisoners in Sri Lanka’s prison system. According to the Committee for the Protection of Prisoner Rights, the deceased was a resident of Magazine Road, Borella, who had been serving a prison sentence on a drug-related charge. Reports state that he had previously escaped while assigned to duties outside the prison premises and was later re-arrested at his residence. The organization…

April 27 – A tense situation unfolded at Magazine Prison when a violent altercation between inmates resulted in injuries to two prisoners and a prison officer, all of whom were subsequently hospitalized. According to the Prisons Department, one of the injured inmates is currently in stable condition. Authorities also confirmed that a 38-year-old inmate from Grandpass, who had been remanded on drug-related charges, has died following the incident. Initial reports suggest that the conflict began when two inmates attempted to move out of their assigned cell and enter others. The…

April 11 – A serious incident of alleged police brutality involving officers attached to the Weerawila Police Station has raised significant concerns over the abuse of power and violation of fundamental rights. According to reports, the incident occurred on the night of April 11, when a group of young men from Tissamaharama were returning home after attending a musical event in Weerawila. The group was traveling in a safari jeep when they were stopped by police officers for inspection. The police alleged that the driver was under the influence of…

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…

Tag: freedom from torture in sri lanka

Drug Suspect Shot While Allegedly Attempting to Escape Police Custody in Galgamuwa

Welikada Prison Inmate Dies Following Alleged Assault by Prison Officers

Violent Clash at Magazine Prison Leaves One Inmate died

Allegations of Police Brutality in Weerawila

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