Welikada OIC transferred over death of maid in Police custody

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The OIC of the Welikada Police has been transferred to the Police Field Headquarters over the death of a 42-year-old woman who had been taken into custody over an alleged theft at the house of a tele drama producer and businesswoman Sudharma Nethicumara.

The domestic worker was taken into custody on May 11 following a complaint by Sudharma Nethicumara that a gold ring had been stolen from her residence.   

However, the female helper, a resident of Badulla, had been admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo from police custody after she had suffered from breathing difficulties.   
Police said the woman had died the following day while undergoing treatment.   However, the IGP ordered the Police Special Investigation Unit to conduct an investigation into the incident due to suspicions raised by her relatives and other parties.   Accordingly, earlier a Sub Inspector, two Police Sergeants and a Police Constable attached to the Welikada Police were also interdicted while another Police Constable and two Women Police Constables had been transferred after investigations revealed that the officers had committed acts of indiscipline in the Police Disciplinary Code.   

The OIC was transferred after the IGP had recommended the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security to transfer him.