by Madura Ranwala
A 44-year-old suspect from Kotahena arrested with stolen vehicles parts in the early hours of yesterday allegedly committed suicide inside a cell at the Bambalapitiya police station, a few hours later.
Police spokesman SP Buddhika Siriwardana told The Island yesterday the suspect had been arrested on charges of stealing vehicle parts such as wipers and side mirrors near Bambalapitiya flats around 5.20 a.m. He had later hanged himself with a piece of cloth given to him to wipe the floor after he had spilt some tea on it.
The Hulftsdorp Magistrate and the Judicial Medical Officer of the National Hospital had visited the cell, the SP added.
Crimes Division OIC of the Bambalapitiya police, Inspector Anusha Rupasinghe said that the suspect was a drug addict and had confessed that he committed thefts as he needed money to purchase drugs.
Inspector Rupasinghe said that the suspect had been arrested for the same offence earlier in 2011.
He said a statement had been recorded from the suspect.
island.lk