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Police face scrutiny amid wave of misconduct, sexual abuse and bribery allegations
Colombo, July 19 (Daily Mirror) - In the wake of a series of serious violations involving police officers, including sexual abuse, discreditable conduct, and corrupt practices, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) has ordered strict disciplinary action against any officers found guilty.
In recent months, several officers have been arrested on charges ranging from sexual abuse and conduct detrimental to police discipline to misuse of official positions for personal gain and other corrupt activities such as bribery.
In the latest incident, three police officers attached to stations within the Matara Police Division have been suspended over misconduct at a spa in the Walgama area.
The officers, identified as Sub-Inspectors attached to the Matara Division Intelligence Unit, Thihagoda Police Station, and Mawarala Police Station, allegedly visited the establishment and became involved in a heated altercation with the manager after attempting to obtain services from the spa without payment.
Following a formal complaint, an internal investigation was launched. The Acting Superintendent of Police (ASP) for the Matara Division later found the officers guilty of multiple disciplinary violations, including misconduct, abuse of authority, and discreditable behaviour.
Chairman of the National Police Commission (NPC), Lalith Ekanayake, told the Daily Mirror that upon receiving the situation report, the NPC issued instructions to the IGP to take appropriate action.
“We do not directly intervene in every matter, as disciplinary decisions are within the IGP’s jurisdiction,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Police Spokesman said that officers involved in any form of illegal or corrupt activity would face both disciplinary and legal consequences.
“When a report is filed against a police officer, an internal inquiry is launched. If evidence confirms wrongdoing, disciplinary or legal action will follow,” the spokesman said.
In January, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Medirigiriya Police Station was arrested by the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women (BPACW) for allegedly sexually harassing a Woman Police Constable (WPC) under his command.
In a separate incident in February, a police constable stationed in Mallavi, Mullaitivu District, was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing schoolgirls while intoxicated during a sports event. Dressed in civilian clothes, the officer reportedly attempted to lure female students into a secluded area. The incident caused public outrage after a video of the confrontation went viral on social media. The constable was arrested and produced before the Mullaitivu Magistrate’s Court.
Most recently, on July 15, the Sub-Inspector of the Tangalle Police Station was produced before the Tangalle Magistrate’s Court on charges of sexually assaulting and threatening a female colleague. Magistrate Shamala Butawatte released the suspect on two surety bails of Rs. 200,000 each and a cash bail of Rs. 10,000. The case has been postponed until July 28.
Meanwhile, in 2025, several police officers across Sri Lanka were arrested for accepting bribes, highlighting ongoing concerns about corruption within the law enforcement sector. These arrests, conducted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), involved officers of various ranks, from constables to chief inspectors.
In the latest incident, the Commission’s Investigation Officers arrested a Police Constable and a Constable Driver of the Police Crime Division on July 9, 2025, for accepting a bribe of Rs. 180,000 from a three-wheeler driver. The arrest was made based on a complaint lodged by the three-wheeler driver.
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