File photo.
A serious complaint has been lodged with the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission and the Inspector General of Police alleging that a 23-year-old youth was brutally assaulted and tortured after being summoned to the Talawakelle Police Station to give a statement.
According to the complaint, the young man had been called to the police station on February 27, 2026, in connection with an investigation into a financial fraud allegation made by a young woman. However, he claims that several police officers, including a female officer, subjected him to severe assault and torture while he was there.
The victim stated that he went to the police station early in the morning with family members after police informed him the previous day to appear and provide a statement. He said he was later taken alone into a separate room for questioning. The young woman who made the complaint was also present.
He further stated that police asked him to sign a document written in Sinhala. As he is a Tamil speaker, he said he did not understand what was written in the document but was still made to sign it.
According to the complaint, around 2:00 p.m. the same day, members of the complainant’s family were brought into the police station. A man who identified himself as the young woman’s father reportedly told officers that he knew the Officer-in-Charge and handed a phone to a police officer saying that the Kotmale OIC was on the line.
After that phone call, the situation allegedly escalated. The youth claims that a female police officer repeatedly struck him on the head, ear, and neck. He further alleged that he was kicked with boots while another officer threatened him with a firearm.
The complaint also states that a man wearing civilian clothes and a helmet entered the room and verbally abused him while threatening to insert a cricket wicket into his anus.
Following the assault and threats, police allegedly warned him not to reveal what had happened to anyone before releasing him.
After returning home, the youth reportedly began suffering from severe headaches and reduced vision in his left eye and was admitted to hospital for treatment. After being discharged, he again experienced symptoms including headaches, nosebleeds, ear pain, and further deterioration of his eyesight, leading to another hospital admission.
The complaint further states that police officers visited him at the hospital. One officer identified as “Yoga” reportedly told him that it could not be accepted that police officers had assaulted him.
The incident has also been reported to the emergency hotline of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, where officials advised the victim to formally file a complaint.
The youth has also received a notice today (March 9) instructing him to appear before an Assistant Superintendent of Police tomorrow (March 10).
This allegation of police torture comes just days after the Supreme Court delivered a judgment on Friday (March 6) in a fundamental rights case related to torture, ordering police officers and the state to pay more than Rs. 1 million in compensation to a victim.
Article 11 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka clearly states that no person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and this right cannot be restricted under any circumstances.
(Adopted from and report published in Sinhala by Bhanula Giribawa/ www.medialk.com on March 9, 2026)