Raising concerns over the recent death of a youth while in the custody of the Welikada Police, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called upon the Acting Inspector General of Police to ensure the conduct of an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident.
“In the early hours of 02nd April 2025 a youth died while in the custody of the Welikada Police, due to fatal injuries. It has been reported that the said injuries were self-inflicted and that the youth was not in a proper mental state. It is also reported that the youth was taken to the Mulleriyawa Hospital where he succumbed to the said injuries,” the statement said.
The BASL also criticized the slow response of authorities in taking meaningful action to prevent such incidents and urged the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy toward custodial deaths. It further pledged support for capacity-building measures within the Police Department to improve accountability and prevent abuse.
“The BASL will closely monitor the developments in this respect, and would take whatever measures that may be necessary to ensure due process is followed and that the rule of law is ensured,” it adds.
The Colombo High Court has ordered the re-convening of the case filed by the Attorney General against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa on September 26.
The case pertains to allegations that Rajapaksa received Rs. 70 million from the Indian company ‘Krrish’ under the pretext of promoting the game of rugby.
Rajapaksa, appeared before the court when the case was taken up today (June 27).