News

ASP goes berserk at Piliyandala Police for not investigating friend’s complaint

Published

3 months ago

July 5, 2023

editor

An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) had behaved aggressively inside the Piliyandala Police Station on Esala Poya Day accusing the police officers of failing to investigate a complaint made by one of his friends.

The Special Investigation Unit of the Police Headquarters had launched an investigation into this incident.

It was reported that the friend of the ASP was also with him at that time.

Sources said that the ASP of the Western Province Community Police Division had behaved in a manner unbecoming of a police officer over a complaint made by a woman in Polhena, Pelenwatta on July 3 regarding a money dispute that had occurred during a sale of textiles.

The ASP had yelled, “Do you only act if a good-looking woman comes and makes a complaint? You take money, I know what you do.”

He had been pacing up and down for over an hour inside the police station, berating the acting OIC of the Minor Complaints Division, a sub-inspector and other officers.

During that time, a large number of people had visited the Minor Complaints Division and other divisions for various requirements and as a result of the behaviour of the ASP, the police officers on duty had been inconvenienced.

Police sources said that the ASP who was in civvies had arrived in the official jeep of the Officer-In-Charge of the Community Police Unit and the ASP is said to have borrowed it saying that he was going to visit a temple.

Sources said that the ASP’s friend had complained to the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Western Province (South) as well as the Mount Lavinia SSP by phone stating that her complaint had not been investigated.

As a result of complaints made regarding this police officer’s aggressive behaviour, a special team of police officers from the Special Investigations Unit had arrived at the Piliyandala Police Station yesterday (4) and commenced an investigation.

A senior police officer said that statements have been obtained from eight police officers including the Officer-In-Charge of the Piliyandala Police.

(Source: Daily News)

News

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

2 hours ago

September 21, 2023

editor

The Ministry of Health said that the number of people who have died from rabies has increased in the last few years.

Dr. Heshan Guruge, medical officer of the Anti-Rabies Division, said that the lack of knowledge about rabies as well as the bites of animals other than dogs have led to the increase in these deaths.

Dr. Guruge expressed these views while attending a discussion held yesterday (20) at the Health Promotion Bureau in conjunction with the World Rabies Day on September 28.

“When studying the human deaths that happened in the last few years due to rabies, we can see that a number of animals other than dogs have bit them. In some cases, it is not even possible to know who the animal is. Several people who had passed out after being drunk had been bitten by some animal. After a few days, the symptoms of rabies develop. Several such incidents were reported in the last two or three years. Proper first aid should be given in case of any animal bite. Wash the wound with soap and water. If you have alcohol at home, an iodine solution like betadine, surgical spirit, or an antiseptic liquid like hydrogen peroxide, you can use it. Then go to a hospital. If we do this, we can eliminate rabies from Sri Lanka,” he said.

Don’t get closer to new pets for two weeks

Meanwhile, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, community specialist of the Epidemiology Unit, said that 12 people have died due to rabies in 2023 so far.

He said that there is a risk of contracting rabies from the bites of all mammals.

The Anti-rabies Unit said that 25 to 30 people die from rabies every year.

The Epidemiology Unit requested the people not to get closer to pets such as dogs and cats for 14 days after bringing them home.

Arrangements should be made to vaccine the dogs against rabies before a period of four weeks has passed.

When bitten by a dog, the area should be washed and cleaned with soap for ten minutes, and after that it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.