Welikada Police custodial death

On Wednesday (21), the Colombo Magistrate's Court ordered the submission of a progress report on the investigation into the death of R. Rajakumari, who died while in the custody of the Welikada Police.

 

 

Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala instructed that the report be presented to the court on 26 July.

 

 

During the court session, a witness named Mahendran Suresh testified that he witnessed Rajakumari being assaulted by officers from the Welikada Police. Suresh stated that he and Rajakumari were handcuffed together after being taken from the Colombo Fort bus depot to a house in Borella. 

 

 

According to Suresh, he and Rajakumari were in good health then. However, upon arrival at the Welikada Police Station, Suresh revealed that the two police officers he described had assaulted him and Rajakumari, despite pleas from her employer for a non-violent resolution.

 

 

The witness testimonial was recorded under the guidance of Assistant Superintendent of Police Meryl Ranjan Lamahewa from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

 

 

Rajakumari, a 41-year-old resident of Badulla, was arrested on 11 May following a complaint filed by her employer, producer Sudharma Nethicumara, accusing her of stealing gold jewellery. Rajakumari later died while in the custody of the Welikada Police. Her relatives raised suspicions and claimed that she had been subjected to assault.

 

 

In response, disciplinary action was taken against seven police personnel attached to the Welikada Police. A Sub-Inspector of Police, two Police Sergeants, and a Police Constable were interdicted. At the same time, a Police Constable and two Women Police Constables were subsequently transferred.