May 27, Colombo: Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Nihal Thalduwa said the Officer In Charge (OIC) of Welikada Police Chief Inspector of Police Chinthaka Anuradha has been transferred to the general duties at the Police Field Force Headquarters with immediate effect following the death of a woman while in custody.

A 42-year-old mother of three and a resident of Madolsima, Badulla R. Raj Kumar, who worked as a maid in the house of a film and television producer, died on May 11th while in the custody of Welikada police after she was arrested for allegedly stealing a gold ring from her employer.

A sub-inspector, two police sergeants and a police constable have been suspended and another constable and two female police constables have been transferred in relation to the incident.

The Inspector General of Police has temporarily transferred the Welikada Police OIC as per the recommendation made by the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security subject to the approval of the Police Commission.