Image: Anthony Gamage Samantha Prithikumara
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has recommended a record compensation of Rs. 2.5 million to the widow of Anthony Gamage Samantha Prithikumara, who allegedly died in police custody following torture and unlawful detention.
The complaint was filed on January 12, 2023, by T.B. Sriyani Dilrukshi Priyadarshani, who claimed her husband—an employee of the Sri Lanka Vocational Training Authority—was falsely arrested, brutally tortured, and killed by officers of the Colombo 01 Police Narcotics Bureau on January 10.
Named Respondents
The complaint identified the following officials:
- Sub-Inspector Thilanka (First respondent)
- Sergeant 8824 Balasuriya
- Constables Kaluarachchi (9000), Abhisheka (93682), Ariyasinghe (83808), Herath (31996), Thilina Madhushan (924473), Sanjeewa Sampath (61323)
- Sub-Inspector Thiloka Nuwan
Collectively listed as second to ninth respondents.
Commission Findings
After launching an investigation on January 13, the Commission determined violations of Articles 11, 12, 13(1), and 13(4) of the Constitution, which protect against torture, discrimination, and arbitrary arrest.
Key findings included:
- Respondents failed to verify the credibility of a tip-off allegedly linking Prithikumara to drug trafficking.
- The arrest and interrogation deviated from official protocol as outlined in IGP Circular 2747/2023, including failure to notify superior officers and moving the suspect to a private location near Lotus Tower.
- A forensic medical report documented 49 soft tissue injuries inflicted by blunt force, concluding the cause of death was hemorrhagic shock. No evidence of alcohol or drug use was found in the deceased.
Contradictions and Accountability
Although police claimed the suspect was intoxicated and attempted escape, forensic evidence disproved these assertions. Furthermore, none of the eight police officers sustained injuries, raising serious doubts about the official account.
In light of these findings, the Commission ordered the first respondent to pay a total of Rs. 450,000, distributed in multiple portions, with the remaining compensation to be fulfilled by state mechanisms. It also urged the Inspector General of Police to launch disciplinary proceedings and designate a monitoring officer to enforce custody-related guidelines.
Deadline for Implementation
The Commission has mandated that its recommendations be implemented and a progress report submitted no later than August 28, 2025.
(With the inputs from a Sinhala language article published in WhatNews.lk)