The family members of a Sub Inspector of Police who was found dead at a checkpoint on the Katunayake – Colombo Expressway are demanding a probe on the death, despite police claims they believe it was a suicide.

Sub Inspector Ruwan Rathnayake, from Rambewa, Nochchiyagama was found dead at the checkpoint on December 6. Police claimed his service weapon had been used to commit suicide.

But, his wife Priyadharshani Ekanayake said her husband had served in several police stations during the past 30 years and believes he had no reason to commit suicide.

She said he had been on leave the previous day and had been informed that he should present himself at the office of the Negombo Senior Superintendent of Police to make a statement regarding an incident of releasing a suspicious vehicle on the expressway without being checked.

She said that the Acting OIC had ordered the release of a vehicle in which there was a female passenger and two males a few days back. The Acting OIC had said there was no necessity to make a log entry.

‘My husband told me that they were trying to hold him responsible for the incident and that he would expose them. I have suspicion about the death and therefore calling for an inquiry’, he said.

The brother of the deceased, Kanchana Ratnayake said the death was highly suspicious in the manner how investigations had been carried out. He said even the scene of the incident where his body was found had been washed before the Magistrate visited the area.

He also called for a full inquiry.

(sundaytimes.lk)