By Roy Denish.
Police custody killing allegations in the Southern Province raise calls for a CID probe into a detainee’s death and corruption claims.
The police custody killing of 29-year-old Tharuka Viraj Rashmika de Silva has triggered public outrage across Sri Lanka’s Southern Province.
According to the complaint, attackers severely beat de Silva and burned his face before his death. The complaint further alleges that they tied his body to a concrete lamp post and threw it into the Gin Ganga. Rights activists say this was done to hide a pre-planned, contract-driven execution.
The case has now focused national attention on serious allegations of extrajudicial violence and corruption. Those claims involve members of the Southern Province Special Investigation Unit.
The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners has urged Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya to order an independent and impartial inquiry. The committee says de Silva was unlawfully taken from his residence in Mawathagama on or around June 20, 2026.
According to the rights group, a police team allegedly included Assistant Superintendent of Police Namal Perera, Police Constable Prasad and Police Constable Madhusankha.
Reports state that officers held de Silva in custody. They allegedly showed him to prominent drug trafficker Kosgoda Suji before taking him near the old Baddegama police station. The fatal assault allegedly happened there.
Authorities later recovered de Silva’s body from the river on June 24. The committee said his family received no notice of any arrest. It also said police made no official log entries and never produced him before court.
Police Custody Killing Raises Witness Safety Fears
Another detainee, Dewage Wihanga Dineth Jayasinghe, reportedly saw and identified de Silva while he remained in custody. Jayasinghe has now become a key eyewitness in the case.
Jayasinghe entered Colombo Remand Prison on June 24 under drug charges. The committee has urged the inspector general of police to protect him inside and outside prison. It warned that he may face retaliation, intimidation or pressure because of what he allegedly witnessed.
Meanwhile, Sudesh Nandimal Silva, the convener of the committee, has taken the matter beyond Sri Lanka. He has filed a formal complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. That complaint concerns unlawful killings and torture in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Police Department has served the country for more than 159 years. Most police officers serve the public with honesty and commitment. However, a small corrupt group can damage the entire institution.
Police stations operate around the clock. The public depends on them for protection, emergency response and justice. Therefore, the police leadership must identify officers who abuse the uniform and destroy public trust.
Investigations have disclosed that the Special Task Force had no connection to this incident. Instead, allegations now center on the Southern Province Special Investigation Unit in Baddegama. The alleged Perera leads that unit. The alleged constables Prasad and Madhusankha, badge No. 78949, also serve there.
Allegations Turn Toward Baddegama Unit
Information now before complainants suggests that some officers acted outside the law. These actions allegedly violated the purpose of law enforcement and the mission of crime suppression.
A clean police service needs transparency. It also needs action against officers who use the uniform for private gain. Therefore, evidence about fraudulent officers must reach the public and the proper authorities.
Reports and recordings linked to the alleged Perera’s past activities have now come to light. Those materials reportedly relate to earlier investigations involving him.
The current police administration has refused to cooperate with underworld gangs or drug traffickers. Because of that position, authorities can take proper legal action against corrupt officers. They must investigate these alleged illegalities immediately.
Such action would protect the police department. It would also help create a fair justice system for the country. Honest leadership inside the police service needs public support, especially when national police administrators operate without ties to drug traffickers or the underworld.
However, recent actions attributed to the alleged Perera in the Southern Province have sparked strong protests and public concern.
The alleged Perera faces serious claims linked to a 20 million rupee contract from Kosgoda Suji. Police have also failed to seize four backhoes and two tipper trucks. Reports say those vehicles remain parked at the house of Suji’s sister in Kosgoda.
Despite legal provisions and circulars, Kosgoda Suji reportedly continues to receive special privileges. Complainants allege that high-value deals have protected him from proper enforcement.
Reports identify the alleged Prasad as Perera’s chief associate. His badge number is 78194. Reports also question whether Prasad first introduced Suji to Perera.
The alleged Prasad also reportedly accompanied Perera as a trusted associate when Perera worked in the Special Task Force. According to reports, he joined Perera when money had to be collected.
CID Urged To Take Over Investigation
Reports also allege that Perera previously released drug-laden shipping containers during his time at the Police Narcotic Bureau. The Criminal Investigation Department recorded a statement over that incident. However, the inquiry later stopped.
Authorities officially described de Silva’s death as part of an operation to arrest a shooting suspect. However, complainants now describe it as a planned contract killing.
Reports say the suspect possessed firearms. Officers could have used minimum force under lawful limits if required. Instead, complainants allege that officers motivated by money took the law into their own hands.
The government should immediately hand over the police custody killing case to the Criminal Investigation Department. A formal CID investigation would allow investigators to examine every allegation, witness statement and financial trail.
Such criminal and corrupt conduct can end under the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power. Unlike previous administrations, the current president has no dealings with drug traffickers or the underworld. He also maintains a stated commitment to real change in the country.
Citizens now face economic hardship. Even so, many remain ready to support the government if it removes drugs, the underworld and organised crime from Sri Lanka.
The public believes these investigations can proceed without political interference. That belief remains strong because the current minister of public security and the inspector general of police also stand free of corruption allegations.
The current government has taken a strict position against criminal abuse. Therefore, the police department must not protect criminals like Kosgoda Suji for money. Authorities should hand this investigation to the CID without delay. Complainants say relevant evidence has already reached those in power.
Bribery Claim Involving Imprisoned Woman
Another alleged criminal incident involving the team linked to the alleged Perera and the alleged Prasad has also come to light.
The team reportedly arrested a woman named Lalani from the Gonapinuwala area. Her arrest followed the imprisonment of her husband on drug charges.
According to the allegations, the alleged Prasad and the alleged Madhusankha demanded a 200,000 rupee bribe from Lalani. She told them that she did not have the money. After that, they proceeded with a High Court case against her.
After Lalani went to prison, the alleged Prasad and the alleged Perera allegedly threatened her 14-year-old daughter. The girl was alone at home at the time.
The officers reportedly warned that they would imprison the girl on fabricated drug possession charges. They allegedly demanded 200,000 rupees to avoid that outcome.
The helpless family then raised 125,000 rupees. They sold household goods and personal property to collect the money. The alleged Perera reportedly agreed to accept that lower amount.
The money moved through the legal banking system. On the morning of Dec. 29, 2025, the family deposited 125,000 rupees into the alleged Prasad’s Bank of Ceylon account at the Narammala branch.
This police custody killing case has now become a direct test of Sri Lanka’s justice system. Authorities must act quickly, protect witnesses and investigate every claim. They must also take swift legal action against any officer who abused the uniform.
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