Video footage from The Morning Lk
Following the brutal assault of a civilian by a Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) in Ratnapura, Sri Lankan police have launched an investigation stating that such incidents would seriously damage the reputation of the police department.
The investigation follows the wide circulation of footage showing the SDIG kicking and beating the civilian while the civilian begs to stop the attack.
When questioned on whether the SDIG, Ranmal Kodituwakku, was under the influence of alcohol, Sri Lankan police refused to confirm but said that they would investigate the matter.
The increased incidents of police brutality and arbitrary detentions under Sri Lanka's draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act follow a damning report but Human Rights Watch (HRW) documenting these abuses. In their report, HRW extensively details the abuses that have occurred during the pandemic which include accounts of torture, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings. HRW has urged international partners to cease engagement with the "abusive Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies until there is demonstrated the political will to address the situation".
Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at HRW, added that “Sri Lanka’s police seem intent on building on their past record of serious abuses, instead of cleaning up their act.”
Last week public security minister, Sarath Weerasekera, announced that 'human rights charges' levelled against police officers in active duty would be dropped if charge sheets against them are not completed within a six-month time frame.
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