Police have initiated a thorough investigation into the death of a man under suspicious circumstances in the Dehiwala area.
The deceased, identified as A. Samarajeewa, was a 60-year-old three-wheeler driver residing on Waidya Road, Dehiwala. He was the husband of journalist Sriyani Wijesinghe and a father of two. On the morning of January 1, Samarajeewa left home for work as usual but failed to return that evening.
Concerned about his whereabouts, Wijesinghe attempted to contact him that night. During one call, she reportedly heard signs of distress. Subsequent attempts to reach him were answered by the police, adding to the family’s alarm.
Key Witness and Incident Timeline
On the same evening, a lawyer residing on Hill Street, Dehiwala, near where Samarajeewa’s three-wheeler was parked, alerted the Dehiwala Police after discovering a man collapsed in front of her house.
A police patrol team responded to the call but left the scene, claiming the individual appeared intoxicated. Later that night, after a second call from the lawyer, another police team arrived. They summoned a 1990 ambulance service to the location, where the injured man was washed and transported to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital. Tragically, Samarajeewa succumbed to his injuries the following day while receiving treatment.
Post-Mortem Findings and Ongoing Investigations
A post-mortem examination conducted at the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital revealed extensive bruising on Samarajeewa’s back, severe head injuries, and significant bleeding. The coroner returned an open verdict, pending further investigation.
Reports indicate a party was held at the lawyer’s residence, the location where the deceased was found, on the day of the incident. The gathering was in celebration of her husband’s imminent departure abroad, which occurred the following morning. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby cameras to piece together the sequence of events leading to the incident.
Police Accountability in Question
The conduct of the initial police patrol team is under scrutiny, particularly their decision to leave the scene without rendering assistance. Acting on the orders of Deputy Inspector General of Police (South), Western Province, Gayanga Marapana, an investigation is being carried out under the supervision of an Assistant Superintendent of Police. Authorities aim to determine whether the officers involved neglected their duties.
This incident has raised significant concerns and drawn public attention, as investigators work to uncover the truth behind Samarajeewa’s untimely death.
