Three prison guards attached to Welikada Prison have been arrested by Sri Lanka Police over the death of an inmate who was apprehended on Monday while attempting to escape, the Police Spokesman said on Tuesday morning.
The arrests were carried out by Borella Police, The Island reported, escalating an investigation that was opened after relatives alleged the 40-year-old man had been assaulted in custody. Ada Derana confirmed the arrests on May 5 (NID 122109), citing the Police Spokesman.
The deceased, a Borella resident, was serving a three-month sentence for a drug-related offence after failing to pay a Rs. 5,000 fine, Ada Derana reported. He fled the prison premises on Monday and was apprehended by officers in Borella following a pursuit. A scuffle is said to have taken place during the rearrest.
After being returned to the facility, prison sources said another incident occurred shortly afterward, the cause of which has not been determined. The inmate fell seriously ill, was admitted to the prison hospital, and later died.
Relatives had alleged the deceased was subjected to “inhumane assault” by prison officers. Borella Police recorded statements from around 10 individuals, with two special investigation teams examining the incident. Family members were called to the Borella Police on Monday to give statements.
The Department of Prisons confirmed the death to NewsFirst on Monday but did not disclose the circumstances of the confrontation, the staff involved or the nature of the inmate’s illness.
The death comes amid an ongoing investigation into a similar incident on April 27 at the Magazine Prison, where another inmate died following a confrontation with a prison officer — making this the second custodial death reported in close succession. A shooting at Galle Prison during an escape attempt on May 3 also drew attention to security protocols at Sri Lankan prisons this week. No magisterial inquiry findings have been published in either case.
Custodial deaths in Sri Lankan prisons have drawn periodic scrutiny from the Human Rights Commission and Bar Association observers, particularly where deaths follow physical altercations with staff. Welikada — the country’s largest remand and convict facility — has previously been the subject of inquiries into overcrowding and the use of force during shakedowns.
The Department has not detailed whether further officers will be questioned beyond the three guards now in custody.
Sources: Ada Derana — guards arrested; The Island — Borella Police arrests; NewsFirst — initial death report; Ada Derana — escape attempt probe.
