Amid allegations that the Police Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women has failed to address the alleged harassment of females on social media platforms, the Police clarified that the Bureau initiates investigations only upon receiving a complaint.

In light of several posts on social media platforms including YouTube and Facebook targeting former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, former Provincial Councilor Upulangani Malagamuwa recently claimed that the relevant institutions including the said Bureau have not made any meaningful intervention with regard to such incidents.

When queried by The Daily Morning regarding the allegation, Police Media Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa said that the Bureau initiates investigations into such incidents upon the receipt of a complaint. "In this case (posts targeting Kumaratunga), even if one of her secretaries lodges a complaint, the Bureau will launch an investigation."

Following a statement made by Kumaratunga to the effect that a person hailing from an ordinary background such as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was able to make such an achievement due to what she claimed to be societal changes made by former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in 1956, several posts were made on social media platforms criticising her.

Claiming that the impact of such content affects all women, including those who are already in and about to enter politics, Malagamuwa said that if a woman who once held the highest position in the country faces such serious harassment, it is important to look into such incidents and eliminate them. She also charged that the relevant institutions including the said Bureau have failed to fulfil their responsibility of protecting women and children.