The Hambantota Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) has ruled that the postmortem examination of a 46-year-old remand prisoner from Angunakolapelessa Prison has confirmed that his death was caused by assault, the Divaina newspaper reported.

Asanka Indunil, a resident of Embilipitiya, was remanded for two weeks for contempt of court after his mobile phone rang during a court session at the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court.

He had been present to assist a friend’s bail application when the incident occurred.

Indunil was transferred to Angunakolapelessa Prison and later admitted to Hambantota Hospital after reportedly falling ill. He died on May 2 while in prison custody.

The JMO concluded that the cause of death was internal bleeding due to head and chest injuries inflicted by a blunt weapon, according to the Divaina newspaper.

Indunil’s family, insisting he was in good health prior to his remand, has called for a fair and transparent investigation. Police investigations are ongoing.