Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has claimed in Parliament that the death of a suspect at the Angunakolapelessa Prison was due to problems with other inmates, not foul play by authorities.
Responding to a question from MP Chitral Fernando, the Minister addressed the growing public outrage surrounding the death of Asanka Idunil, a 45-year-old father who was remanded for contempt of court after his mobile phone rang during a court hearing. According to Nanayakkara, Asanka had “issues” with fellow prisoners, suggesting this led to the fatal incident.
The Justice Minister added that the Judicial Service Commission and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka are currently in discussions regarding the procedures around contempt of court, particularly in such minor infractions.
Asanka, who had gone to the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court on April 30 merely to post bail for a friend involved in a road accident, was remanded for 14 days for the phone ringing incident. He was transferred to Angunakolapelessa Prison, where he reportedly died just two days later, on May 2.
His death has sparked serious questions and allegations of assault, with his family claiming they were told of head injuries found during the autopsy. The case has gained traction online following a Facebook post by Prabodha Ratnayake, Operations Director of the Media Law Society.
According to Ratnayake’s post, Asanka was a humble worker at the Hambantota Economic Center and the father of a child recently accepted into medical school. The family insists that Asanka’s life was cut short not by prison scuffles, but by a violent assault, demanding justice and accountability.
“This is what happens to the underprivileged in this country,” the post reads. “Their lives are discarded without value.”
As investigations continue, the case is rapidly becoming a flashpoint over prisoner rights, judicial overreach, and systemic injustice in Sri Lanka.
