The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed deep concern over the recent death of a youth while in the custody of the Welikada Police and has called for an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident.
In a statement issued on April 5, the BASL said it was alarmed by reports that the youth had sustained fatal injuries while in custody, with claims that the injuries were self-inflicted. The BASL stressed the importance of ensuring due process and warned that repeated custodial deaths severely undermine public confidence in law enforcement and the administration of justice.
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.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation into the death, which occurred after the suspect was arrested on April 1 for allegedly entering a house in the Nawala area. According to the Police Media Division, on the directive of the Acting Inspector General of Police, the CID began probing the conduct of the officers involved on April 4. (NewsWire)
