Police condemned for harassing women

By Norman Palihawadane

Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa yesterday said Police Headquarters had commenced a special departmental-level investigation into a video that went viral on social media, showing a senior police officer and his team, harassing female protesters and women police officers at Gorakana, in Panadura, on Saturday (12).

SSP Thalduwa said that following the incident, a special team, headed by an ASP from the Panadura Division, had been appointed by the Western Province Senior DIG to probe the incident which occurred while two women were marching from Kalutara, demanding the release of activists detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Political leaders in opposition parties and Colombo-based diplomatic corps have condemned the actions of senior police officers.United Nations resident coordinator in Sri Lanka Hanaa Singer-Hamdy condemned the treatment of women via a tweet yesterday.

“Women in public life are often subjected to discrimination & personal attacks, when they put themselves on the line 2 of duty. They should be shown respect, & their efforts should be recognised and appreciated” she said.Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa also condemned police excesses.

“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,” Premadasa tweeted yesterday.The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) also condemned the police action. “Police brutality continues because of the failure and the lethargic attitude of those who have the power and authority to deal with them. What a shame!”