The IGP has ordered the Director of the Police Special Investigations Unit to conduct a special probe regarding the conduct of the Chief Inspector of Panadura South Police.
The probe is in regard with yesterday’s (12) incident where 2 female Police officers were manhandled by a male officer and how several female protestors were arrested in Panadura.
Police Media Spokesperson SSP Nihal Talduwa pointed out that the Police respects the rights enshrined in the Constitution, which ensures the right to freedom of assembly and the right to freedom of expression.
Moreover, he stressed that the Police continuously emphasize on protecting the rights of women, and the special probe will also focus on whether the female Police officer was wronged in this regard.
Future action will be taken in accordance with the recommendations made by the Director of the Special Investigations Unit, SSP Thalduwa added.
Video circulating on social media over the manhandling of female protesters and female police officers, sparked severe widespread criticism and condemnation.
Women in public life r often subjected to discrimination & personal attacks, when they put themselves on the line 2 of duty. They should be shown respect, & their efforts should be recognised and appreciated.https://t.co/cmKDys13Rf
The sacred duty of our police is to protect the citizens of Sri Lanka. Manhandling women, including female officers, should never be allowed. We will take this up with the IGP to ensure that any officer mistreating the people will be brought before the law and dealt with.
In a separate incident, well known PR professional – Anusha David says her assistant who was feeding stray dogs on the road last night (12), was arrested by the Thalangama police for failing to produce his NIC.
He had not been released despite Ms. David producing her assistant’s ID within minutes. According to Ms. David, the police refused to speak to her legal representative as well as MP Harsha de Silva. After contacting both the IGP and BASL Chairman – Saliya Peries P.C., and herself giving a statement, the assistant was later released.
2/2: I tried to speak to the OIC to clarify situation but they refused to speak. Anusha says they kill dogs but don’t even have the courtesy to speak to a people’s representative on the subject. I made a complaint to the Office of the IGP. We will take this forward.
In a Facebook post, President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) – Saliya Peries P.C. has said “Police brutality continues because of the failure and the lethargic attitude of those who have the power and authority to deal with them. What a shame.”