Sri Lanka has experienced a troubling surge in custodial deaths and extrajudicial executions targeting alleged underworld figures, particularly between 2020 and 2021. High-profile detainees, including Kosgoda Tharaka (Dharmakeerthi Tharaka Perera Wijesekera), Makandure Madush (Samarasinghe Arachchige Madush Lakshitha), Tinkering Lasantha (Hewa Lunuge Lasantha), Uru Juwa (Dineth Melon Mabula), and Indra (Indunil Vajira Kumara), were all killed while in state custody, often under strikingly similar circumstances. Police accounts consistently describe these incidents as occurring during operations to recover hidden weapons or contraband, where the suspects allegedly attempted to escape or attack officers, leading to lethal force. However, the uniformity of these narratives, the lack of independent witnesses, and the absence of meaningful judicial scrutiny point to a systematic pattern of extrajudicial killings rather than isolated self-defence actions.
These deaths, regardless of the individuals’ alleged involvement in serious crimes such as murder, extortion, and drug trafficking, violated fundamental rights to life, dignity, and a fair trial. They erode public trust in the justice system, deny closure to victims of the suspects’ alleged crimes, and foster a pervasive culture of impunity within law enforcement. According to Human Rights Watch, such abuses surged amid the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-drug campaigns, with police increasingly resorting to lethal force under the guise of enforcement operations. Amnesty International’s 2020/21 report similarly documented a rise in extrajudicial executions in Sri Lanka, highlighting the failure to investigate these incidents adequately.
This report, drawing on verified data from credible sources including news reports, human rights organizations, and official statements, documents the five cases in detail. It identifies recurring patterns, assesses violations of national and international law, and outlines recommendations for reform. Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP), it underscores the urgent need for accountability to restore the rule of law.
Full Report – Unveiled- The Pattern of Extrajudicial Killings in Custody – Sri Lanka
