Five Police officers of the Kandeketiya Police were arrested in connection with the death of an 18 year-old suspect following a postmortem report suggested that the suspect could have been assaulted.

The Badulla JMO had also recommended medical examination of five other suspects taken into custody along with the deceased for injuries.

The suspects were arrested for allegedly engaging in treasuring huntng.

The Police said officers of Kandeketiya Police Station, a Sub- Inspector, three Constables, a Police assistant and a member of the Civil Defence Force were among the arrested.

The victim, P.H.S.Malinga (18) of Meegahakiula and five others including his brother, had been arrested on suspicion of treasure hunting in Bogahalanda forest reserve last Wednesday.

The suspects were produced before Passara acting Magistrate Maheshika Priyadarshana De Silva who remanded them till May 21.

Malinga was taken ill in the prison and was rushed to the Badulla Hospital where he died.(Palitha Ariyawansa)