A special team appointed by the National Police Commission launched an investigation into the disappearance of a youth while in the custody of Hambantota Police.

The team was appointed yesterday by the NPC.

G.G Gayashan, a 20-years-old from Bandagiriya, was arrested on September 9 along with two other individuals by the Hambanthota police for allegedly stealing paddy from a warehouse in Hambantota. He went missing afterwards.

Police have dismissed the accusations of his relatives that they were responsible for the disappearance. Hambantota Police maintain that the youth fled from police custody. 

The Human Rights Commission has already launched an investigation on the disappearance. Five police officers including Hambanthota HQI have been transferred pending investigations.