By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana 

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) will commence a probe on multiple corruption charges against Sri Lanka Police for abusing its resources and using the police force to suppress peaceful protesters in the recent times. 

The CIABOC in a responsive letter sent for the complaint lodged by the action committee against repression formed by Sri Lanka Young Lawyers’ Association (SLYLA) and Young Journalists Association (YJA) had stated that they will commence a probe under case number BC/1760/2022.

 
A spokesperson for the Young Journalists Association told the Daily Mirror the action committee formed by SLYLA and YJA lodged a written complaint with the CIABOC on September 22 claiming several top-level officials of the police department have abused their powers and used the police force to repress peaceful public protests on the whims and fancies of ruling politicians. 

The complaint stated police chief Inspector General C. D. Wickramaratne, Senior DIG Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon, OIC Fort Police CI Sagara Liyanage and a group of officials including Officers-in-Charge of the Slave Island and Maradana Police Stations have abused their authority to suppress peaceful protests in the past few months. 
The complaint further stated if a law enforcement officer abuses his authority or decision-making powers to act in favour of one person or group or to abuse such authority to enforce the law in a biased manner is defined as corruption. 

“Corruption is not only the unlawful acquisition of funds or assets. Using one’s authority in a biased manner is also categorised as corruption,” it said. 

The letter sent by the CIABOC has stated that the commission had decided to commence a probe on the charges of committing the offence of corruption by abusing the resources of the police service and its force to suppress peaceful protests.