Urujuwa and Kosgoda Tharaka who were in police custody were shot dead by the police yesterday (13) and the day before yesterday (12). The police had stated that the police had to use minimal force due to certain incidents that took place while the suspects were being taken away for an investigation.
The office of the Leader of the Opposition also drew attention to the killings yesterday (13). Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the law should be strictly enforced against criminals, but that the government’s illegal killings should be stopped immediately.
Sajith Premadasa points out that when a suspect in police custody is killed, the state becomes a fascist state where lawlessness reigns, and that such killings could give the politicians and high-level racketeers who dealt with the suspect an opportunity to escape the rule of law and the rule of law. Confidence in institutions is eroding.
He says that this wave of killings is a violation of human rights and that the country should act more responsibly to ensure the security of the country and that the law of the jungle cannot be allowed to reign.
He further added that although the perpetrators should be punished, it should be decided by the courts in a legal process and it is not up to the police or the government to punish the culprits.
Meanwhile, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka had issued a media statement condemning the killings.