Open verdict delivered following inmate death in Galle

Judicial Medical Officer D.D. Samaraweera at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital delivered an open verdict regarding the death of a Galle Prison inmate after drug traces appeared in his urine samples. The medical officer also instructed police to forward the deceased’s blood samples to the Government Analyst for further examination.

The deceased, 51-year-old Eramudugodage Sunil from Vidyaloka Place, Galle, entered prison custody on 22 November 2025 following charges of heroin possession. He fell ill suddenly on the morning of 28 June and hospital staff declared him dead upon arrival at Karapitiya Hospital.

Post-mortem results confirmed an absence of major traumatic injuries, though urinalysis detected the presence of narcotics. Under the direction of Chief Inspector Lalith de Silva, Officer-in-Charge of the Miscellaneous Complaints Division at Galle Police, Police Sergeant Sarath presented evidence during the inquiry.