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Police to investigate if cop acted ‘disrespectfully’ towards female officer

14 Nov 2022

  • Investigation commences on IGP’s orders
  • Protestors’ freedom of expression violation also within scope of probe
  • Action to be taken based on probe’s findings
By Buddhika Samaraweera Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne has ordered the Special Investigation Unit of the Police to investigate if a senior police officer who manhandled two junior female police officers during a protest march on Saturday (12), acted in a manner that was disrespectful and improper towards the female police officers. The police officer in question, Panadura South Police Station Headquarter Inspector and Chief Inspector of Police (CI) Chamindra Pinto, was seen grabbing two female police officers by the scruff of their necks, shortly after he was seen manhandling two female protestors. Speaking to the media yesterday (13), Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa said that the investigation has already commenced and that action will be taken based on its findings. “An incident that occurred when this police officer was taking a few women who were engaged in a march in the Palliyamulla area in Panadura into custody has been reported on social media platforms. The IGP's special attention was drawn to this. He has ordered the Director of the Special Investigation Unit to immediately start an investigation into the actions of the police official concerned, and he has started the investigation today (13) itself. This investigation will reveal whether the police officer in question had acted in a manner that violated the freedom of speech and expression that citizens are entitled to under the Constitution, and in a manner inappropriate and disrespectful to the female police officer. According to the recommendations that will be made after the relevant investigation, further steps will be taken regarding the concerned police officer,” said SSP Thalduwa. Two women, with placards in hand, had commenced a march from near the Kalutara Bodhi to the Galle Face Green, on Saturday, urging the Government to release Inter-University Students' Federation (IUSF) Convenor Wasantha Mudalige and Inter-University Bhikkhus' Federation (IUBF) Convenor Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera, who are currently being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA). They engaged in a peaceful march from Kalutara to Panadura, and several videos showing a group of police officers manhandling and arresting them in the Panadura area are currently circulating on social media platforms, particularly Facebook. The videos also show how CI Pinto, who was among the group of police officers, had grabbed two female police officers by the neck and pushed them forward at the time of the arrest of the two concerned females and two others who were nearby. The relevant videos are currently being widely shared on social media platforms and several social media users whose comments on the incident were seen by The Morning demanded that the Department of Police should take immediate steps to suspend the concerned police officer. “If he treats his fellow police officers like that in public, it goes without saying that the way he treats an ordinary citizen is even worse,” read one post on social media. He further said that people are entitled to freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution, and noted that the Police respect this right. He added that the Police would not in any way interfere with any citizen's rights subject to the relevant restrictions mentioned in the Constitution, and added that the Police should also work to protect the dignity of female police officers and all other females. Meanwhile, commenting on the incident, Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa had issued a Twitter message that read: “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.” Bar Association of Sri Lanka President and President's Counsel Saliya Pieris, who had also commented on Facebook regarding the incident, stated: “The incidents today (12) show the extent to which Sri Lanka's Police has deteriorated. The first was when the Police manhandled, harassed, and arrested two ladies who were walking with a placard in hand. The second was the photographs going viral of a senior officer holding a Women Police Constable (WPC) by her neck. Police brutality continues because of the failure and lethargic attitude of those who have the power and authority to deal with it. What a shame.” Meanwhile, the two females and two others who were with them who were arrested by the Panadura Police on Saturday, were released on police bail. Afterwards, they continued their march from Panadura to Galle Face Green last morning (13). When they were passing through the Moratuwa area, a group of police officers tried to stop them by blocking the road; however, the two women ended their march after reaching the Galle Face Green last evening. Almost all the recent protests against President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the current Government had been interrupted by the Police. Even many peaceful protests were dispersed by the Police with the use of tear gas and water cannons, while most of the protest marches centred in Colombo city were blocked by the Police, claiming that these were obstructing roads. Many parties have however alleged that the roads are obstructed not because of the protestors or the protests, but because a large number of police officers are deployed on roads to disperse protestors in such cases.


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