Sri Lanka’s police force, tasked with upholding law and order, now stands accused of perpetuating a cycle of violence and impunity that has shattered public trust. Recent incidents range from custodial death at the Welikada Police Station, where a mentally distressed man died under suspicious circumstances, to the midnight arrest of Inter University students (IUSF) during a satyagraha outside the Ministry of Health, and the arrest of a young boy under PTA have ignited fury across the nation.
Social media platforms and public spaces echo with visceral anger as citizens condemn systemic brutality, unchecked authority, and the glaring absence of accountability. This distrust is not new. Decades of civil war, enforced disappearances, and State-sponsored repression have entrenched a culture where security forces operate above the law. Yet the present wave of violence, whether targeting marginalised communities, protesters, or detainees, has laid bare a deepening crisis.
The repeated failure of the police to investigate their own, coupled with the political shielding of perpetrators, has normalised injustice. As Sri Lanka grapples with economic collapse and demands for reform, the question looms: Can an institution so widely feared and despised be transformed, or what can be done to restore the faith in justice?
The recent surge in police violence in Sri Lanka has led to a significant erosion of public trust in law enforcement. Several incidents have intensified public outrage and skepticism towards the police:
Death of Sathsara Nimesh in Welikada police Custody (April 2025): On April 1, 2025, 26-year-old Sathsara Nimesh from Badulla was arrested by the Welikada Police after allegedly entering a house in the Nawala area. According to police reports, Nimesh exhibited violent behaviour while in custody and was subsequently transferred to the National Institute of Mental Health in Mulleriyawa, where he died the following morning. The Acting Inspector General of Police recommended the transfer of the Officer-in-Charge of the Welikada Police Station to facilitate an impartial inquiry into Nimesh’s death.
Death of Samitha Dilshan following release from Wadduwa police custody (March 2025): In February 2025, 24-year-old R.M. Samitha Dilshan was arrested by the Wadduwa Police in connection with a vehicle accident. After being detained for several hours, he was released on bail. Upon returning home, Dilshan began complaining of chest pains and subsequently vomited blood. He was rushed to the Panadura Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His wife alleged that he had been subjected to severe mistreatment while in police custody. Following public outcry, four police constables were arrested and interdicted for assault.
Arrest and detention of Mohamad Rusdi under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (March 2025): On March 22, 2025, 22-year-old Mohamad Rusdi was arrested in Colombo under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for allegedly pasting anti-Israel stickers on public walls. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, expressed concern over his detention, criticising the continued use of the PTA and questioning the proportionality of the charges. Rusdi was released on bail on April 7.
These incidents have sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organisations and the international community, further fuelling public anger and protests against police brutality and custodial impunity in Sri Lanka.
Accountability, custodial safety and rebuilding trust: Priyantha Jayakody
To further explore the complexities of police conduct and public perception in Sri Lanka, we interviewed retired Senior DIG Priyantha Jayakody, a seasoned law enforcement professional with extensive experience in crime and organised crime divisions. DIG Jayakody previously served as the Director of the Criminal Records Division and as the Police media spokesperson.
“When a suspect is arrested, it is the prime responsibility of the police officer to ensure the individual’s safety and well-being. Any incident that occurs post-arrest falls under the accountability of the law enforcement officers.
“However, officers often encounter challenging situations during arrests. Some suspects may resist, leading to unforeseen incidents. In such cases, it’s imperative to report the matter to the courts promptly and ensure the victim receives immediate medical attention, accompanied by a mandatory medical report.
The safety of suspects within detention cells is paramount. Unexpected incidents, such as self-harm or suicide attempts, can occur, especially when individuals are isolated, leading to deteriorated mental states. To mitigate this, cells should be designed permit observation and intervention when necessary.”
Q: In light of recent events, what measures can the state adopt to alleviate public distrust and reduce societal animosity towards the police?
“A functional society relies heavily on effective law enforcement. Without the police and security forces, maintaining public order becomes untenable.
“It’s essential to recognise that our policing system has deep-rooted ties to colonial structures. Transitioning to a more community-centric approach is crucial. Developing a people-friendly police force requires officers to be attuned to the sentiments and expectations of the communities they serve.
“By fostering mutual understanding and respect, we can bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public, paving the way for a more harmonious societal relationship,” he said.
Police violence, social media and systemic reforms:
Prathibha Mahanamahewa
To gain expert insight into the recent incidents of police violence in Sri Lanka, we spoke toh Prof. Prathibha Mahanamahewa, a distinguished legal scholar and former Human Rights Commissioner of Sri Lanka.
Q: On social media’s role in escalating tensions, the systemic gaps and police reforms
“Social media plays a significant role in shaping public perception and can sometimes incites violence. The lack of regulation and ethical oversight on these platforms allows for unchecked allegations against the police. While it’s true that the police must perform, and there may be instances of misconduct, the agitation fuelled by social media has had a profoundly negative impact on society.
“Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, but it’s not absolute. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 outlines limitations, especially concerning national security and defamation. Unfortunately, these considerations are often overlooked on social media. There needs to be self-regulation and ethical journalism; otherwise, unbridled commentary can be disastrous for a country striving for progress. Strict monitoring is essential; blanket freedom without accountability is detrimental.
“Regarding law enforcement, the Ministry of Public Security, along with the Sri Lanka Police, the Special Task Force, and the tri-forces, must address these challenges. As a senior lecturer at the Sri Lanka Police Academy in Katana, I emphasise the importance of continuous training for officers, particularly those interacting directly with the public. Comprehensive education on fundamental human rights and societal needs is crucial. Fostering community policing initiatives can bridge the gap between the police and the public.
Currently, programs such as ‘Praja Police’ exist but lack popularity. Many citizens are hesitant to share information with the police, especially after witnessing instances of torture.
“It’s important to note that police violence isn’t widespread but occurs in isolated incidents. However, any such incident demands immediate action. Practical challenges also arise in police custody. For instance, drug-addicted suspects might harm themselves due to withdrawal symptoms. To address this, the police require proper infrastructure, including CCTV and well-trained officers. Civil society’s support is also vital. Rehabilitation and counselling are necessary components. While there are many humane aspects within the police force, they often go unnoticed or unhighlighted,” he said.
Prof. Mahanamahewa’s insights underscore the multifaceted nature of the challenges facing Sri Lanka’s law enforcement and the critical role of societal dynamics in addressing these issues.
A systemic crisis in Sri Lanka’s institutions:
Prof. Siri Hettige
Prof. Siri Hettige, a distinguished sociologist and former Chairman of the Sri Lanka’s National Police Commission (2016–2017), Prof. Hettige has an extensive background in sociology, having served as the Head of the Department of Sociology and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Colombo.
Q: Prof. Hettige, what underlying factors have contributed to the recent incidents of police violence in Sri Lanka?
“The issues we’re witnessing within the police force are symptomatic of a broader systemic problem affecting various state institutions in Sri Lanka. Over the past four to five decades, the entire state apparatus, including the media, has been under significant pressure, leading to a deterioration in governance.
“Focusing solely on the police without considering the broader context is inadequate. Post-Idependence, institutions responsible for areas such as irrigation, land settlement, and transportation functioned effectively. However, over time, these institutions have been undermined, particularly when individuals ill-suited for leadership roles are appointed, leading to their decline.
“During my tenure, I observed that was possible to realign institutions onto the correct path. The crux of the matter is whether there’s a genuine desire to implement such changes. We cannot examine these issues in isolation; they are part of a much larger, complex system. Ample evidence suggests that this deterioration is widespread across various sectors.
“Addressing isolated incidents without understanding the overarching systemic issues is merely an academic exercise. To truly comprehend the challenges facing Sri Lanka, we must contextualise them within the larger picture. When systemic changes occur, attempting to salvage individual components becomes exceedingly difficult. This underscores the need for leaders capable of perceiving and managing the broader landscape,” he said.
These insights highlight the necessity of addressing systemic governance issues to effectively tackle problems within individual institutions such as the police force.
A society gripped by violence
According to data collected by The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners, Sri Lanka has recorded 32 shooting incidents across the country between January and April this year. These incidents have resulted in at least 22 deaths and multiple injuries.
These incidents, stretching from urban Colombo to coastal towns such as Galle, Ambalantota, and Weligama, reflect not a surge in crime but a collapse of public safety.
On January 4, a shooting in the Kapparathota Walliwela area in Weligama killed a 26-year-old man.
On January 16, two people were shot dead outside the Mannar Magistrate Court.
On January 19, a person named Ganemulla Sanjeewa was shot dead inside Colombo Magistrate’s Court No. 5.
On February 18, a man, his daughter, and his son were killed in a shooting incident in Middeniya.
On March 13, the former Superintendent of Boossa Prison, Siridath Dhammika, was shot dead in Galle.
On March 22, two young men were shot dead in Devinuwara by unidentified gunmen.
In several incidents, police officers have also been involved in shootings during law enforcement operations. For example, on April 1, a person was injured in a police shooting during a drug inspection in Minuwangoda.
The data indicates that these shooting incidents occurred in public spaces such as roads, residential areas, near schools, in religious places, and even within court premises. Unless the state addresses these systemic failures through reform, accountability, and rebuilding trust, the country risks sliding further into a dangerous normalixation of violence, where justice becomes a distant dream and fear governs everyday life.
Thiniyawela incident:
Facts vs. social media frenzy
While Sri Lanka grapples with legitimate concerns over police brutality and custodial deaths, another troubling trend has emerged: the rapid spread of misinformation and unverified claims on social media, further polarising society. The recent Thiniyawela incident is a stark example of how partial truths and emotional reactions can distort public perception before facts are established.
On April 6, 2025, a video surfaced online showing a man accusing drunken police officers of harassing him. The clip went viral, sparking outrage. However, the Police media spokesperson, Buddhika Manatunga, later said that the individual was riding a motorcycle while intoxicated and resisted a routine traffic check. He verbally abused officers, forcibly took back his motorcycle, and fled. The suspect, previously convicted on drug charges, was later arrested for obstruction and assaulting police. While investigations continue, the immediate social media reaction was telling: Many users condemned the police without waiting for official details, amplifying a one-sided narrative.
This incident underscores the potential dangers of sharing unverified information on social media. Prof. Prathiba Mahanamahewa said the unchecked dissemination of content without proper ethical considerations can acerbate societal tensions. Sri Lanka’s crisis of police brutality cannot be solved with mob justice or viral hashtags. Prof. Siri Hettige said, isolated incidents reflect a broken system, but healing that system demands patience, scrutiny, and collective responsibility. Blind outrage only deepens the divide.
The path forward lies not in knee-jerk reactions but in demanding accountability with clarity, not chaos. The choice is ours: Will social media be a tool for justice or a weapon of mass distortion?
