• Mano Ganesan urges exhumation, fresh JMO/Pera Uni experts’ probe

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena assured yesterday (24) that a proper investigation will be conducted into the death of the woman while in custody of the Welikada Police in the face of criticism from several Parliamentarians representing the Opposition including Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa.

There have been reports of deaths of persons in Police custody, of which the latest is the death of a female named A. Rajkumari who was arrested by the Welikada Police on allegations of theft.

Speaking in the Parliament yesterday, the Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance and SJB MP Mano Ganesan expressed suspicions on the death of Rajkumari, the latter who was a housemaid at the residence of teledrama producer Sudharma Nethicumara. He said that a fresh Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) inquiry should be conducted into the death, exhuming the deceased's body. He also demanded the deployment of a team of experts from the Medical Faculty of the University of Peradeniya to inquire into the same.

National Freedom Front Leader and Opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa also expressed views about Rajkumari's death, while speaking in the Parliament yesterday. "The Police has beaten this female in front of Nethicumara. The Police cannot beat someone to death at a Police station. That innocent female did not come to Colombo to get killed. Therefore, strict action should be taken regarding this matter. There are many females who come to work as housemaids, what will happen to them?."

In response to statements made by Ganesan and Weerawansa, Gunawardena said that he had informed the relevant parties of what they (Ganesan and Weerawansa) said over the phone. "We have informed the relevant parties of what you asked. There will be no room for something to be done in this regard out of the law. I give you that assurance. We have forwarded your explanations," he said.

Following Gunawardena's statement, Premadasa stood up and started speaking on the same matter, and he was seen being interrupted by the Deputy Speaker, MP Ajith Rajapakse, who was presiding over the Parliament at the time. Premadasa demanded however that he be given the opportunity to speak. "A family has lost a mother. It is not we who feel that sorrow, it is they who feel it. So, serve justice to this female who died," he said.

Chief Government Whip and Minister Prasanna Ranatunga then said that there would be no influence on the Judiciary and the Police with regard to the matter. "The relevant authorities will act appropriately. Why is this being talked about continuously? These are not things that should be done in the hope of votes. The Premier clearly expressed a stance on the matter."

In reply to Ranatunga, Ganesan said: "We did not speak for votes. Do not make that allegation. It is an insult to me and the people. There has been a death, so what we ask is a fair inquiry into it."

The deceased, identified as a 41-year-old resident of Badulla named Rajkumari, who was employed as a domestic worker at Nethicumara’s residence, had been arrested on 11 May. The arrest had been made by the Welikada Police based on a complaint made by the deceased’s employer, claiming that the woman in question had stolen gold jewellery. She had then been admitted to the hospital, and had subsequently died. Four Police personnel have been interdicted while three others, including two Women Police Constables have been transferred over the death.