Clergy not spared by Police excesses

The outrageous conduct of some police officers when a  catholic priest had been at the receiving end of  vile and brutal treatment,   so unabashedly inflicted on him for an alleged traffic offense. It is rather intriguing to know if the Police are gaining inspiration, and have been emboldened by some frivolous rhetoric uttered by a politician, as to how even the clergy would not be spared if he had to retaliate for political reasons. 

One wonders if the clergy whom we treat with reverence that profess devotion to the various faiths  practiced in our country are being brutalised; then what would be the fate of an ordinary citizen? Do the Police have the liberty to brutalise people even if they commit an offence?  The police officers on duty, allege  that the priest did not heed their call to stop the motorbike he was riding, and had to pursue and arrest him. If a traffic offense was committed by the priest, he should be dealt with according to the  deterrent measures stipulated in the highway code, and not be treated like a criminal.

The pledge of good governance, and to treat the citizenry  with equity and dignity by the new Government,  is a far cry from what we witness happening in our country.  It is time for those in power and  decision makers to ensure that justice and fair play prevails for the wellbeing of our citizenry.

Don Peter

Dehiwela