Three officers attached to Kobeigane Police have been suspended in connection with the death of a suspect who died after being hospitalised while in police custody.
The Police Spokesman said two sergeants and a constable had been suspended over allegations of neglect of duty.
Residents had apprehended the man, who was allegedly linked to several thefts, and handed him over to Kobeigane Police on 25 October.
After spending two days in police custody, he was admitted to Nikaweratiya Hospital on the night of 27 October, where he subsequently died. Five residents who had handed him over to police were arrested following the incident.
However, relatives of the arrested residents alleged that the suspect had been unharmed when he was handed over to police.
They also said that if he had been assaulted, police should have taken steps to hospitalise him.
The five residents remain in custody. The Police Media Division said they were due to be produced before court.
