– Three police officers attached to the Kobeigane Police Station have been suspended following the death of a suspect while in police custody.The officers, comprising two Police Sergeants and a Police Constable, are facing disciplinary action over alleged dereliction of duty, according to the Police Media Spokesperson.

The incident occurred after residents in the Baddegama area of Kobeigane arrested a man suspected of involvement in several thefts on the afternoon of October 25 and handed him over to the Kobeigane Police.The suspect remained in police custody for two days before being admitted to the Nikaweratiya Hospital on the night of October 27, where he subsequently died.Following his death, police arrested five residents who had initially apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the police.

However, relatives of the arrested residents have raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the incident. They claimed that the suspect had been tied to a tree for less than an hour before police were informed and that he was handed over to officers without sustaining any injuries.They also questioned why the suspect had remained in police custody for two days without being admitted to hospital if he had sustained injuries.Meanwhile, the Police said that the five arrested residents remain in custody and are due to be produced before court.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death are continuing.