Thursday Oct 29, 2026
Thursday Oct 29, 2026
Thursday, 29 October 2026 05:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has questioned whether the death of a young man in the custody of the Homagama Police marks another step towards Sri Lanka becoming a police State.
In a special statement, Premadasa called for an independent and transparent investigation into the death of Ishara Harshana. He said relatives who visited the police station on 25 October to inquire about Harshana had reportedly observed injuries on his body.
Premadasa said the Police were responsible for the safety and well-being of individuals in their custody. The death raised serious concerns over constitutional protections and the duty of law enforcement authorities to safeguard human life, he said.
He also linked the incident to two proposed laws aimed at combating organised crime and terrorism, warning that certain provisions could undermine fundamental rights and the rule of law.
Premadasa alleged the proposed laws could restrict freedom of expression, political freedom and the right to peaceful assembly, potentially paving the way for authoritarian, one-party rule. Legislation to protect national security and combat organised crime must comply with international standards and human rights obligations, he said, adding that governments had a responsibility to strengthen democracy, not restrict it.
Premadasa called for justice for Harshana and urged the public to oppose any attempt to turn Sri Lanka into a police state. He pledged to provide political leadership to efforts to prevent the introduction of laws that could undermine democratic rights and freedoms.
