Beruwala – Hasitha Malinga, a 24-year-old hotel employee from Beruwala, was allegedly assaulted by Bentara Police officers after being falsely accused of theft.
Malinga, who works at a hotel in Bentara, completed his shift and returned home in the early hours of August 9, 2024. Later that morning, around 9:00 AM, he received a call from his workplace, asking him to return. Upon his arrival, police officers were waiting for him and arrested him on allegations of misplacing a foreign guest’s wallet.
During his detention, Malinga was reportedly subjected to physical abuse by the officers, who allegedly beat him with sticks and kicked him, despite being informed that he suffers from epilepsy.
On September 10, 2024, a theft case was filed against Malinga in the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court. However, no stolen items were found in his possession, and he was granted bail. Following the assault, Malinga sustained injuries that required medical attention and was admitted to Ward No. 32 of Kalutara Nagoda Basic Hospital.
The incident has raised concerns about police misconduct and the potential influence of external parties, as some sources claim the arrest may have been influenced by the hotel’s owner.
