Two cops interdicted for imposing Indian style punishment

COLOMBO (News1st): The Police on Monday interdicted two traffic police officers for meting out Indian style punishment on camera for curfew violators. A group of people who had been travelling without a curfew permit was made to do sit-ups on camera by two police officers near the headquarters of a political party in Maradana, footage aired on local media showed. "A preliminary inquiry is being carried out under the leadership of an assistant police superintendent," DIG Ajith Rohana, who heads the police motor traffic range told News1st. Disciplinary action will be taken against the officers who are a sergeant and a constable attached to the motor traffic range for disobeying orders and for displaying disrespectful behaviour, the Police Headquarters said in a statement. It remains unclear whether the punishment had been influenced by a cameraman to boost TV ratings, or whether the Police had emulated their counterparts in neighbouring India, an official said asking not to be named. Cops in India were seen beating curfew violators and imposing several punishments, in contrast to the Sri Lanka Police, which has been arresting violators and recently sending them to quarantine centres. Meanwhile, on a separate incident on April 9 in Panadura, former speaker of the Parliament Karu Jayasuriya appealed that the law enforcement authorities should not lose the civility as a nation. “Yesterday, media reports showed law-enforcement officers using sticks and canes to beat up people. As we fight #COVID19 together, we must also not lose our civility as a nation. Such reports, especially, on mass media, help promote a negative image about the country” Jayasuriya tweeted. Sri Lanka has imposed a lockdown style curfew with strict travel restrictions as the island nation continues to battle COVID-19.

Yesterday, media reports showed law-enforcement officers using sticks and canes to beat up people. As we fight #COVID19 together, we must also not lose our civility as nation. Such reports, specially, on mass media, help promote a negative image about the country.

— Karu Jayasuriya (@KaruOnline) April 10, 2020