The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) says that 79 suspects have died in police custody or during arrests over the past 05 years.

Commissioner and Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchchihewa stated that 49 suspects had died while in custody, while 30 died during arrest operations.

He said that, in response, the Commission has issued new guidelines for the police on proper procedures to follow during and after arrests.

Meanwhile, the Acting Inspector General of Police has circulated these guidelines to all police stations, he further said.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) says 31 suspects have been arrested on bribery or corruption charges between January 01 – May 31 this year.

Among those arrested are 08 police officers, including a police inspector, sub-inspector, 04 sergeants, and 02 constables.

The CIABOC also stated that a school principal and 02 Public Health Inspectors were also taken into custody.

Among the latest high profile arrests, former Chairman of the Fisheries Corporation – Upali Liyanage and former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickremesinghe were arrested yesterday.

Liyanage, who was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga, was released on three sureties amounting to Rs. 5 million while Wickremesinghe was remanded until July 01.

Related News :

Showers are expected at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (June 28), the Department of Meteorology stated.

Fairly heavy falls above 50mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces.

A few showers may occur in the Jaffna, Mannar, Anuradhapura and Matale districts.

Showers or thundershowers may have also been predicted in the Uva province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Meanwhile, fairly strong winds of about 30-40kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.