The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called upon the Acting Inspector General of Police to ensure the conduct of an immediate and impartial investigation into the death of a Tamil youth while in the custody of the Welikada Police, due to fatal injuries.
The BASL said in a statement that it is deeply concerned in relation to this matter, the narrative and the surrounding concerns.
“In the early hours of 02nd April 2025 a youth died while in the custody of the Welikada Police, due to fatal injuries. It has been reported that the said injuries were self-inflicted and that the youth was not in a proper mental state. It is also reported that the youth was taken to the Mulleriyawa Hospital where he succumbed to the said injuries,” the statement added.
“The BASL will closely monitor the developments in this respect, and would take whatever measures that may be necessary to ensure due process is followed and that the rule of law is ensured.
Time and again over decades, the BASL has cautioned that it is imperative that Law Enforcement Agencies, including the Sri Lanka Police, exercise great caution and act with utmost care and
responsibility to prevent such incidents, as these incidents erode trust and confidence in the system of administration of justice.
The BASL regrets to note that notwithstanding the same, custodial deaths continue and the BASL is concerned that the Authorities are slow in taking meaningful action to prevent the same occurring as well as taking expeditious steps and measures to bring the culprits to justice.
The repetition of such incidents will lead to the allegation of a climate of impunity on the part of the State, which is most detrimental to all citizens of this Country.
The BASL will support measures that can be initiated to adopt a principle of zero tolerance in custodial deaths and is willing to support the Law Enforcement Authorities including the Sri Lanka Police in the area of capacity building in relation to same,” the statement further said.
