One of the three youths who injected themselves with a suspected drug at the Alapalawala Stadium, in the Daulagala police division, died yesterday afternoon (20).
Investigations revealed that the 24-year-old youth, Lakshan Kumara, who was in critical condition, died while being transferred to the Mampitiya Regional Hospital for treatment.
The post-mortem examination was conducted today (21) by Judicial Medical Officer of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, Dr. Palitha Bandara Subasinghe. An open verdict was returned, and samples have been sent to the Government Analyst for further examination.
Meanwhile, local residents staged a protest near the Peradeniya Hospital morgue, accusing the police of failing to record statements from the two other youths involved in the incident until this afternoon (21).
A 16-year-old schoolboy told police that he witnessed the deceased being injected with a substance along with two other youths.
Residents have also alleged that a doctor in the Daulagala area was supplying drugs to youths and accused the police of failing to take action on these complaints.
According to police investigations, the deceased experienced severe breathing difficulties shortly after being injected with the suspected substance, and one of the youths fled the scene at that time.
