Can new IGP put SL Police in order?

THE Supreme Court this week declared that the former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Hasalaka Police Station had violated the Fundamental Rights of a woman who was arrested and detained for wearing an item of clothing bearing a ship’s wheel, which was mistakenly interpreted as a depiction of the sacred Buddhist symbol, the Dhammachakra.

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The SC ordered the former OIC to pay Rs. 30,000 in compensation to Abdul Raheem Masaheena, 47, a resident of Kolongoda, from his personal funds after violating her fundamental rights.

In another tragic case that came to light this week, the Mount Lavinia Lawyers' Association raised serious concerns over wrongful detentions in drug-related cases following the death of a suspect who was posthumously cleared of all charges.

Keerthi Fernando, Secretary of the Association, told reporters that a suspect who had been wrongfully detained and later released by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate's Court yesterday was no longer alive, having died by suicide due to the mental toll of his incarceration.

The individual had been arrested by the Dehiwala Police in May 2024 for alleged possession of 3,200 mg of heroin—a non-bailable offence under Sri Lankan law. He was remanded for three months before being granted bail by the High Court. However, two months later, he took his own life, reportedly due to the psychological stress caused by his prolonged and unjust detention.