• he reportedly ordered police officers to immediately stop such abuse or harassment

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

IGP C.D. Wickramaratne has directed police officers not to harass or embarrass the public during inspections and during implementation of quarantine law and said disciplinary action will be taken against superior officers, if such incidents are reported in the future, a senior police officer told the Daily Mirror.   

  When travel restrictions are being imposed to prevent the Covid-19 virus spread,  police check vehicles and people at roadblocks and other places while enforcing quarantine laws.  
However, it was observed in video footage and through media that certain police officers act in a manner causing embarrassment to the public.  

In a special zoom meeting with all the senior officers, the IGP has strongly criticized the actions of some officers and has directed senior officers to take action to prevent such incidents.  
The IGP informed senior officers that such action by certain officers is a serious blow to the reputation of the police.  
Accordingly, the IGP instructed that vehicles and people should be inspected and the quarantine law should be enforced strictly against those who only violate laws.   

However, he reportedly ordered police officers to immediately stop such abuse or harassment.  
Also, the IGP directed all senior police officers to make a note of such abuses or acts of public nuisance as it should not be tolerated.  

Further, the IGP informed that DIGs in charge of all divisions inform him that police officers in their divisions make note of these instructions.  

The senior officer stated that the IGP had instructed that disciplinary action will be taken against the HQI or OIC in the respective areas if there were any such incidents of harassing or embarrassment to the public is reported by the media. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)