Deaths in police custody continue in spite of issuance of guidelines

Human Rights Commissioner Nimal Punchihewa yesterday (03) said that deaths in police custody remained a matter for serious concern.

Attorney-at-Law Punchihewa disclosed that there had been 24 deaths in police custody last year.

Addressing the media at the Sri Lanka Foundation , the official said that though guidelines had been issued to police, in early December last year, as regards persons taken into custody, there were seven more deaths in police custody so far this year.

Punchihewa emphasised the responsibility on the part of law enforcement authorities to follow the guidelines issued in this regard.