A tense situation erupted in the Ammathanaveli area last week, after the body of a young Tamil man was discovered on 19th March in a pit located in a nearby paddy field
The discovery has sparked public outrage in Vaharai, with locals accusing the Sri Lankan police of brutality and foul play.
According to local sources, police officers had attempted to arrest two individuals in the area at around 8:30 PM the previous night. While one was apprehended, the other reportedly fled the scene. The body found the next day is believed to be that of the individual who evaded arrest. Police sources have claimed the youth may have accidentally fallen into the pit while fleeing, resulting in his death.
However, members of the public have strongly contested this version of events, alleging that the young man may have been captured by police officers and beaten to death. In response, residents attempted to stage a protest, asserting that the police were responsible for the death. The situation escalated quickly, prompting the deployment of Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force and additional police personnel to the area. Security measures were intensified to prevent unrest.
A magistrate who visited the scene conducted an inquest and ordered that the body be sent to the Batticaloa General Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Officers from the occupying Batticaloa District Criminal Investigation Division have also launched an investigation into the incident.
This latest incident comes amidst growing concerns over the continued impunity of Sri Lanka’s police force.
Despite a change in government, allegations of violence, torture, and misconduct by Sri Lanka’s police continue to mount, particularly in the Tamil North-East. Human rights groups have consistently called for structural reforms and accountability, as Tamils continue to bear the brunt of state violence and abuse.