Beware of Criminal Impersonation of State Officials: Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police on Saturday (Feb. 06) sternly advised the general public to be vigilant of crimes committed by those who visit businesses and residences, impersonating health and security authorities. "The perpetrators would come to business places, residences of businessmen pretending as police officers or health officials. Therefore, take precautionary action to prevent such types of crimes," Police Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General Ajith Rohana advised the people. Whilst emphasizing that people have the right to request an officer to produce their IDs, the Deputy Police Chief noted that all police officers have been instructed to produce their official IDs when performing duties, especially when in civil attire. "All citizens have the right to ask any government officer, especially police officers to produce their IDs whenever they visit their places," the DIG Ajith Rohana reiterated. The warning comes following a robbery committed by impersonating government officials, on 3rd February 2021. According to Police, a group of four individuals who impersonated the officers of the Unsolved Crime Investigation Unit of Colombo had robbed Rs. 500,000 from a businessmen's residence in Kulugammana, Katugastota on 3rd February. The group had fled the scene upon committing the robbery and Katugastota Police are conducting further investigations, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said.