The victim's father has passed away after the death in police custody

Six policemen have sustained injuries in the attack.

GA Gayan, 27, a father-of-one, was arrested by Dompe police on suspicion of a robbery on Thursday.

Parents and relatives of the victim accuse the police of beating him to death in custody.

Rejecting the accusation, the police say the suspect fell off the jeep while he was taken to a place where he has hidden stolen goods. He died as a result of the injuries sustained as a result of jumping off the moving vehicle, they say.

Father dies

Having heard the death of his young son, the father of the victim has suffered a heart attack and died in Gampaha hospital on Friday.

This is not unusual. This is only another such incident Police spokesman, SSP Maxi Proctor

Police spokesman, SSP Maxi Proctor told BBC Sandeshaya that it is a normal occurance during a routine police investigation, "this type of incident can happen anywhere in the world."

Police Special Task Force, together with the army, have been deployed to establish law and order in the area, he added.

"This is not unusual. This is only another such incident".

Police Criminal Investigation Division is continuing investigations under the instructions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

In recent months, there have been many similar incidents in which suspects have died in police custody.

The previous IGP, Mahinda Balasuriya, resigned after a worker at Katunayake Free Trade Zone died as a result of police shooting on protesting workers.