Mother Claims Police Brutality in Son's Custodial Death

COLOMBO (News 1st); A young man has died while in police custody at the Welikada Police Station. 

Sri Lanka Police reported that the individual was arrested on the night of the 1st for allegedly breaking into a house in the Nawala area.

Sri Lanka Police observed that the young man appeared to suffer from a mental disorder.

While in the police cell, he reportedly behaved violently, banging his body against the walls.

The statement from Sri Lanka Police noted that officers struggled to control him.

On the morning of the 2nd, the young man was transferred to the National Institute of Mental Health in Mulleriyawa, where he subsequently passed away.

The deceased has been identified as a 26-year-old resident of Pahala Gedara, Meegahakiwula.

However, the young man's mother claims that her son died as a result of police brutality.

An investigation into the incident is being led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, according to a senior police officer in charge of the area. 

Statements have been recorded from 12 individuals who were present in the police cell at the time of the incident, as well as from two external witnesses.

A post-mortem examination was conducted today by the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer, who has issued an open verdict regarding the cause of death.