Minister of Public Security Vijitha Herath has condemned the actions of a Police officer against a civilian who had videoed the vehicle of former minister Lohan Ratwatte that was involved in an accident recently.
Responding to questions from reporters, Minister Herath said three licenced weapons had been found inside the vehicle at the time of the incident, prompting the public to take videos.
“The government had requested everyone to return their weapons, including those licenced, before November 07 and that they would be returned after conducting the necessary review and obtaining reports in this regard. But some of these people have not returned their weapons,” he said.
Minister Herath said that when such weapons are found in public incidents, it results in public uproar and cannot be avoided.
The Public Security Minister revealed that he does not accept the intervention of a Police officer in that situation.
“It was obvious that a Police officer had threatened a man who had videoed the vehicle. It is wrong. He cannot do so. It is the right of any person to video such an incident,” he said.
Pointing out that it was not a high-security zone, Minister Herath said the Police officer’s actions were wrong and that some officers are continuing to behave in this manner.
The minister said such behaviour of Police officers must be avoided, adding that instructions have already been given to initiate action against the officer in question.
Minister Herath’s comments come after a young man who videotaped a defender vehicle involved in an accident near Wariyapola was arrested earlier this week by police, reportedly for obstructing police duties.
A video shared on social media at the time, showed a police officer, identifying himself as the OIC of the Wariyapola Police Traffic Division, threatening the young man recording the scene. (Newswire)
