Colombo, June 26 — A Sri Lankan prisoners’ rights organisation has appealed to several United Nations human rights mechanisms to intervene in the case of a 29-year-old man whose death has been described as a possible extrajudicial killing following his alleged arrest and disappearance by individuals believed to be linked to law enforcement.
The appeal was lodged by the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP), a Colombo-based human rights organisation that advocates for the rights and welfare of prisoners, detainees and their families. In an urgent communication dated June 26, CPRP called on UN Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups to investigate the death of Tharukara Wiraj Rashmika De Silva, alleging that he was subjected to arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance and extrajudicial execution.
The letter was addressed to UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Jill Edwards, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
According to CPRP, De Silva, a resident of Ahungalla, was last seen after allegedly being taken into custody near Wewagedara Hardware in Mawathagama on June 20 by a group of men in civilian clothing. The organisation claims that those involved did not identify themselves and that no formal arrest procedures, charges or legal documentation were provided to the family.
CPRP states that De Silva was subsequently seen at the Baddegama Police Station, where he was allegedly identified by Dewage Vihanga Dineth Jayasinghe, who later became a key witness in the case. The group says Jayasinghe was arrested separately on June 19 and is currently being held at Colombo Remand Prison on allegations relating to drug possession.
The rights organisation alleges that De Silva disappeared after being taken into custody and that his body was recovered from the Gin Ganga in Galle District on June 24. According to the complaint, the body was found floating in the river with the victim’s hands tied behind his back and attached to a concrete pole. The family reportedly identified the body through distinctive tattoos despite severe injuries to the face.
In its submission, CPRP contends that the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body raise serious concerns about torture and unlawful killing while in custody. The organisation further notes that De Silva was allegedly last seen alive under police control approximately four days before his body was recovered.
A major focus of the appeal is the safety of Jayasinghe, whom CPRP describes as the sole known eyewitness capable of linking De Silva’s alleged detention to law enforcement authorities. The group has urged international bodies to press the Sri Lankan Government to guarantee his protection while in custody and prevent any reprisals or intimidation.
The organisation has also called for an independent and impartial investigation—preferably by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)—into the alleged arbitrary arrest, disappearance and death of De Silva. It additionally requested protection for the victim’s family, witnesses and human rights defenders involved in the case, as well as accountability for anyone found responsible.
The letter was signed by Senaka Perera, Executive Director of CPRP, who said a more detailed complaint would be submitted to the relevant UN mandates in due course. CPRP noted that both the deceased’s family and the family of the key witness had consented to the communication being forwarded to international bodies and made public.
At the time of the appeal, no official findings had been issued regarding the circumstances of De Silva’s death. The allegations contained in the complaint have not been independently verified, and any investigation by the relevant authorities remains pending.
About the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP)
The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) is a Sri Lankan civil society organisation that advocates for the protection of prisoners’ rights, due process, humane treatment in detention facilities, and accountability in cases involving alleged custodial abuse. The organisation has previously engaged with local authorities, courts and international human rights mechanisms on issues relating to prison conditions, detainee welfare, torture allegations and the protection of witnesses and vulnerable inmates.