A remand prisoner has died after allegedly being assaulted by two prison officers at the Colombo Magazine Prison.
The deceased has been identified as 54-year-old Hewadheera Don Gamunujith, a father of one. He was arrested by Maharagama Police on February 23 on suspicion of trafficking “ice,” and was later remanded following a court appearance.
According to reports, on February 26, two prison officers attempted to search the prisoner, suspecting he still possessed drugs. During the search, the prisoner reportedly swallowed the remaining drugs.
It is alleged that the two officers, with the assistance of two other prisoners, then subjected him to a brutal assault in an attempt to retrieve the drugs. He was also reportedly forced to drink two bottles of salt water to induce vomiting.
The prisoner sustained serious injuries and was first admitted to the prison hospital before being transferred to the Colombo National Hospital for further treatment. He died from his injuries on March 16.
An investigation is currently underway by Borella Police. Fellow prisoners have provided statements corroborating the alleged assault and forced ingestion of salt water and brutal assault in an attempt to retrieve the drugs.
