A sub inspector and four other policemen of the Crimes Division of the Peliyagoda police station were arrested yesterday over the death of a suspect in custody.
An autopsy has revealed that the victim, Vajith Chamal Wickramarachchi, a 44-year-old father of two died of internal bleeding due to beating.
He was arrested by the Peliyagoda police in the early hours of Saturday over his alleged involvement in vehicle robberies and possessing a small firearm.
Police claim the suspect suddenly took ill while in custody and had died after admission to the National Hospital, Colombo.
Police also claimed that the victim had been previously been taken into custody over his alleged involvement in various offences.
A special police team, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police M. Jayalath, attached to the Colombo Crimes Division, arrested the five policemen who had been on duty while the victim was in police custody.
