June 09, Colombo: The Criminal Investigations Department has arrested seven officers of the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB), including a Sub-Inspector, over the death of a Vocational Training Officer while in Police custody.

Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court remanded the arrested PNB officers until the 23rd of June when they were produced in court.

The Criminal Investigation Department had started investigations into the death of the suspect while being admitted to the Colombo National Hospital after he was interrogated by the PNB officers.

The 41-year-old suspect, A.G. Samantha Preethi Kumara, from Thelwatta, Hikkaduwa, was an Assistant Manager at Vocational Training Authority.

Kumara was arrested by the PNB on 10 January near the National Vocational Training Institute in Narahenpita. At the time of his arrest, Kumara was reportedly in possession of 15 grams of heroin.

The CID arrested a sub inspector, a sergeant and five constables on the orders the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.