An alarming number of 49 people has died while in Police custody in Sri Lanka between 2020 and May 2025 while another 30 individuals were killed during Police operations, bringing the total number of deaths linked to Police action to 79 over the last five years, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) said. Commissioner Nimal Punchihewa made the disclosure, expressing serious concern over what he described as a pattern of lethal outcomes in Police encounters.
“These aren’t just statistics — they represent serious failures in the system,” he said. “The Police have a duty to protect the public within the boundaries of the law. Any deviation from these damages the credibility of the institution.”
Punchihewa cautioned that rising public mistrust in the Police could weaken cooperation in criminal investigations, as people may hesitate to come forward if they believe suspects won’t be treated lawfully.
“There’s a chilling effect when people fear that handing someone over to the Police might be a death sentence,” he added.
Speaking further, he said that accountability and due process are not optional but essential. According to him, a disciplined and transparent Police Service is key to upholding human rights and maintaining the rule of law.
Moreover, the HRCSL is now working on a set of national guidelines aimed at preventing custodial deaths and improving procedures during arrests and Police engagements. The goal, Punchihewa said, is to rebuild public confidence and reinforce the professional standards of Sri Lanka’s law enforcement institutions.