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HRC to police the Police
By Nalaka Nonis
Amidst the increasing number of deaths of suspects in police custody, IGP T. E. Anandarajah has issued a circular stating that the heads of police stations should be responsible for such incidents. This came as the Human Rights Commission told the police to act immediately and effectively in curbing the spate of deaths in custody.

HRC chairperson Radhika Coomaraswamy, said that at a meeting the police chief had agreed to take immediate action. She said the HRC would work with the Independent Police Commission to formulate guidelines to take disciplinary action against police officers who were found to be responsible for fundamental rights violations in cases before the Supreme Court. She said all police stations would display notices in all three languages outlining the rights of suspects.

Reports said that during the past three months there have been at least five deaths in police or prison custody, but the police deny any responsibility. In the latest incident a person identified as Okandahewage Jinadasa allegedly died at the Okkampitiya police check point on September 5 after he was arrested by two home guards for possessing illicit liquor.

Police claimed the victim had died of a fall but the post mortum report indicated there was assault with a dull weapon. In the most notorious headline- hitting case lottery winner Sunil Hemachandra (32), died recently at the Moragahahena police station amidst charges and counter claims of how he died and many a finger pointing to the police.Moragahahena police said the lottery winner died after he knocked his head during an epileptic fit. But the family debunked the police claim by saying Mr. Hemachandra had no epilepsy.

In another case, 25-year-old soldier G.K. Sanjeewa who was taken into custody by the Kadawatha police for allegedly robbing a shop died in the police cell a few days later with the police saying he had hanged himself with a belt. Even other officers in the police said the Kadawatha police had acted negligently by allowing the soldier to keep his belt.

R.M. Lokubanda (60) of Mathurata died on August 28 at the Mathurata police station after he was arrested over a quarrel with some villagers. Nuwara Eliya Police superintendent Wasantha Meegoda said the man had died of a heart attack but eye witnesses claimed they saw him being assaulted.

Another death was reported from the prison hospital in Kalutara where a person identified as Ranjith Perera who was taken into custody in connection with a heroin deal, reportedly hanged himself on September 5, using part of his clothing as a noose.

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