Young man who died in police custody: Specimens to be referred to Government Analyst

By Rohana Chandradasa and B.G.Chaturanga   

 Specimens of the body of young man who had died in custody of the Anuradhapura Police are to be referred to the Government Analyst for further tests to confirm the cause of death.  Police said Judicial Medical Officer - Anuradhapura teaching hospital Dr. Sampath Senatunga who performed the postmortem examination on the orders of Anuradhapura Magistrate Nalaka Jayasuriya had taken this decision.   

 The victim Shanuka Gihan Marambage (22) was a resident of Anuradhapura and the only son of the family. Police had taken into custody four young men including him in connection with narcotic offences last Monday (29) and detained them in the police cell.  

Police said he had developed an illness in the police cell and died on admission to the Anuradhapura teaching hospital.   

 However the relatives and the residents of the area suspected foul play due to police assault.   
 Police said the magisterial inquiry into the incident will be held on February 12.