Relatives allege that Lalith Chaminda Hettige, an inmate detained at the Kadurugasara outdoor work camp in Embilipitiya, has been beaten to death.
However, a prison spokesman said that an investigation had been launched into the incident by an Assistant Superintendent of Prison Intelligence.
Lalith Chaminda Hettige, a resident of Kananke Kandewatta, Matara was sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour in March last year.
The sentence was handed down by the Matara Magistrate’s Court on a charge of stealing Rs. 10,000.
He was later transferred to the Kadurugasara outdoor work camp in Embilipitiya.
Accordingly, his relatives went to the outdoor camp to see Chaminda on the 2nd of December.
Chaminda had told his daughter about the bitter experience he had at the outdoor camp. Dilani Manjula, daughter of Lalith Chaminda, “Too much work, dear. They said If you gave money, will receive less work.”
Then Dilani Manjula had received a call from a prison official on the 9th.
Dilani Manjula – “An officer called and gave it to my father and he told me that he would take a call again tonight. There is no need to take a call tonight I’m afraid the family will fall apart. “
Meanwhile, on the 10th, Dilani had received a call on her mobile phone from an unknown number.
Dilani Manjula – “I did not hear my father speak slowly. You will not have to see me again daughter .. Line was cut off after saying that.”
Then Chaminda’s relatives were shocked to learn that he had fled the camp three days after his father’s call.
Dilani Manjula – “Various reasons were given. Later Kananke called the police and said that my father was dead. I went to the hospital. My father was killed like a dog.”
The daughter alleges that her father was beaten to death.
Dilani Manjula – “farther had told the higher officials the way people used to bring heroin and cigarettes inside. So he was killed. I saw Dad’s soles bleeding and blue. Do justice to my father.”
English