MPs complain some OICs abusing their police powers under cover of yukthiya operation

Several MPs told parliament on Friday (10) that some Officers in Charge of police stations are detaining a large number of youth and charging them for being involved with drugs (under section 54 of Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Act).

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentarian, MP Samanpriya Herath said that a large number of innocent young men, including schoolchildren, have been charged under section 54 and this will have dire consequences on their future.

“This is happening in some areas of Kurunegala. Those charged and detained under section 54 will forever be known as ‘kudu karayo’ (druggies). I personally support the Yukthiya anti-drug and crime operation. But some OICs have made this an opportunity to suppress people and destroy their future. I urge the IGP and the minister of public security to look into this,” he said.

Meanwhile SLPP MP, Premanath C. Dolawatte said this is a problem not only in Kurunegala but also in other parts of the country.

“This is one of the reasons why the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) criticizes some aspects of the Yukthiya anti- drug and crime operation. You can’t bend the law to your personal whims and some police officers do this,” he said.