Three police officers attached to the Homagama Police Station have been suspended with effect from October 26 following the death of a suspect in police custody, the Police said.The suspended officers include two Sub-Inspectors serving as the Officer-in-Charge of the Crime Branch and the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Corruption Raids Unit, along with a Police Constable.

The 29-year-old suspect, a resident of Moonamalewatta, Kiriwaththuduwa, was arrested by Homagama Police on October 25 at Pitipana Junction with suspected methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, in his possession, according to police.

Police said the suspect fell ill after being brought to the police station and was admitted to the Homagama Base Hospital, where he subsequently died.Following the incident, the police reported the facts to the Homagama Magistrate’s Court. The Acting Magistrate visited the scene and conducted an inquiry at the hospital.The post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital on October 27.Meanwhile, preliminary inquiries are being conducted by the Homagama District Assistant Superintendent of Police under the supervision of the Homagama Senior Superintendent of Police.

Separate investigations have also been launched by the Western Province South Crimes Division and the Police Special Investigation Unit on the instructions of Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.