More than 9,000 public complaints against Police misconduct

10 November 2022 08:35 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A total of Nine thousand two hundred ninety five public complaints have been lodged against Sri Lanka Police with the National Police Commission (NPC) during the last five years, documents show.

These complaints include cases of unlawful arrest, false charges, assault, torture, partiality, abuse of power, as well as Police inaction.

However, according to information obtained through an RTI by the writer, the rate of complaints at NPC being stuck with no progress has been increasing over the years. From the years starting with 2017 to the second quarter of 2022, the total numbers of unsolved complaints were 5, 21, 96, 276, 1344, and 713, respectively. When asked about the delay, the NPC blamed the Covid-19 pandemic.

The NPC received a total of Rs.127, 764,000 budgetary allocation in 2018 which was more than double what it had received in the year 2015 -- Rs.47, 030,000. Even the resolved cases are not technically resolved. A source at the NPC revealed that a considerable number of resolved cases are those in which the aggrieved parties stopped contributing to the inquiry “for reasons best known to them.” When the complainant no longer participates in the inquiry, the NPC stops pursuing such cases due to a “lack of evidence”.

The National Police Commission was established under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in October 2015 with a mission to safeguard the public from unlawful action and/or inaction by the Police.

Annually more and more public money is being spent to maintain the operations of the NPC only to see the performance of the Commission becoming more questionable over the years. (Piyumi Fonseka)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 26

sam Thursday, 10 November 2022 09:11 AM

Public at the receiving end. No action by the commission

Reality Thursday, 10 November 2022 09:46 AM

That’s a low number compared to the actual situation in Srilanka, Srilankan police are way too corrupt and thanks to our political system

Citizen Thursday, 10 November 2022 09:51 AM

Shocking! Should not an institution like the BASL move the Supreme Court against the National Police Commission ?

ravin Thursday, 10 November 2022 10:08 AM

Well certain nefarious characters are using NPC as a tool to subsidize there activities and to suppress police from carrying out there entrusted duties. Those elements may be the people who dose not come forward for an inquiries.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 10 November 2022 11:51 AM

Thousands of ordinary citizens like me will never endeavor to make complaint, because the system is yakko and nothing will happen other than wasting our own time. In fact, there can be State intimidation to those complainers depending on the powerfulness of the issue. Therefore, as long as there is thuggery, corruption and criminality will go on, it is a culture that cannot be erased. Sorry for the truth.

Way of life Thursday, 10 November 2022 06:11 PM

That's correct. If unreported cases are considered the number might reach 900,000. Any way why is media reporting these things. Such things are happening everywhere in SL, both public and private sector. It's life as usual. (Media does not report every road accident, which is common, but would report just a single airplane crash, which is uncommon). Corruption, mismanagement, fraud etc., are common and seems to have been established as an acceptable way of life. Those who excel in these are revered and voted into power. That's why SL is where/how it is now.

Ram Thursday, 10 November 2022 12:06 PM

Can the Police Commission disclose the number of complaints where Political interference was found to be the cause and what recommendations they made without disclosing the names of the complainants

Sokrates Thursday, 10 November 2022 12:16 PM

In a corrupt country like Sri Lanka it is important that every police officer up to the DIG wears a body cam, including CID. The camera is switched on when duty begins and off when duty ends. All data are to be stored on a common server and at the same time a copy at the NPC. This will change police behavior for the better and reduce corruption.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 10 November 2022 05:12 PM

They will break the camera often, again that bill has to be footed by Public. The fellows in this country are high end rascals. No wonder we are not successful in anything other than racism and other cowardly acts.

Hands in a glove Thursday, 10 November 2022 06:24 PM

Wishful thinking. There are two ends. The source and the storage. If the source is secured and tamper proof the storage can be tampered. Though the source and storage may involve a different set of people soon both will have their hands in a glove; guaranteed in SL; with judiciary joining in. Just to vent our frustration we are all constantly commenting in DM coloumn; nothing will change ... sorry everything will change but NOT improve in SL.

Hora police Thursday, 10 November 2022 12:46 PM

What's the use.. No action will be taken..

TJ Thursday, 10 November 2022 12:55 PM

90000 is a realistic figure

Cheers Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:09 PM

Majority must be either tamils or Muslims with other jepps as they always look for faults

jackie Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:19 PM

When you make a complaint and try to followup, first thing you hear is topup/reload my phone or buy something when you visit me next time. Why dont you all pass an amendment to fix this issue first and promote good values. STOP bribery/corruption from here FIRST

Dilshan Perera Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:24 PM

The most corrupt and politicized institution is the National Police Commission.. look at the unqualified fake stooges taking bribes.. one thief in particular, a university history lecturer, from University of Kelaniya, who has no place in the commission..

Aquarius Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:26 PM

Today's Police in Sri Lanka is just pathetic and disgraceful. Many in high ranks were appointed by politicians and only obey their orders and not applying the law of the country. The NPC is just an eyewash, another tool to deceive the public. Add to that, some judges are "bought" by the corrupt politicians and mafias. Isn't it interesting that those who set fire to the illegal President's house, are on bail and Wasantha and the monk are held under the PTA without any charges?

humpitagama Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:33 PM

This complaints are not against entire Police Department but specifically for just a few rowdy gang of top rankers beginning from the very top which licks the anal fissure of Rajapakkish who inevitably secrete such mucus through fear of agony, horror and guilt under the present circumstances. Oh! Lord may have mercy upon such unforgivable miserables.

Aram Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:52 PM

Police do not show interest arresting drug peddlers. If they think they can completely eradicate this menace. Gancha business is ordinary and police attend a few as an examples in the name only. But they are eager to attend traffic and accident cases because they are benefitted by corruption

Aram Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:52 PM

Police do not show interest arresting drug peddlers. If they think they can completely eradicate this menace. Gancha business is ordinary and police attend a few as an examples in the name only. But they are eager to attend traffic and accident cases because they are benefitted by corruption

Waco Thursday, 10 November 2022 02:56 PM

How can a ordinary Sri Lankan can proceed with an or contribute to an investigation, because of the “ Thugs” in the Department of Police and politicians.

Police or Polish Thursday, 10 November 2022 05:18 PM

In Sri Lanka there is no Police. What you have is the Gestapo!

Dr.Siri Thursday, 10 November 2022 05:29 PM

Cheers ! What a statement to make after even watching the Aragalaya Assults

SRI lanka police is No 1 corrupted police no jutice never wants to obey the law and order , they wash governments MPS toielts Thursday, 10 November 2022 05:42 PM

useless police washing Governments toilets because they get their salaries in time. But other people are suffering . keep the respect for the uniforms...and think about peoples diifculties, if we are not there how u can get your monthly salary. we fight for the jutsice and your family and children also will benefit from this. do not safeguard thives Ranil and Rajapaksa family

SET A THIEF TO LET A THIEF Thursday, 10 November 2022 06:30 PM

In SL it's not set a thief to catch a thief but SET A THIEF TO LET A THIEF. Lol.

TR Thursday, 10 November 2022 07:19 PM

ALL BLAME SHOULD GO TO THE PRESIDENTS PRESENT AND PAST FOR INSTIGATING THE POLICE TO GO AGAINST THE PROTESTERS AND SO IT CONTINUED ON INNOCENT CIVILIANS TOO

freddy foxx Friday, 11 November 2022 11:03 AM

Start rehabilitating this 9,000 scroungers with their good for nothing except very good at boot licking first.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

More than 9,000 public complaints against Police misconduct

Comments - 26

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Main man behind Sri Lanka -Malaysia child smuggling syndicate arrested at BIA

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations