Cops interdicted over video showing them humiliating curfew violators reinstated

The two police officers attached to the Colombo City Traffic Division who were interdicted yesterday over a video showing them humiliating several curfew violators have been reinstated. 

A Sergeant and Constable were interdicted yesterday after a television channel carried footage of them forcing four persons caught on the road without curfew passes to cross their arms and pull their ears while standing and sitting down. The incident was recorded on Darly Road, Maradana. 

Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Western Province, Deshabandu Tennakoon told Timesonline that a decision was taken to reinstate the officers after the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) reviewed the matter. SDIG Tennakoon said the officers had not committed a grave offence and that given the current situation, they also needed to consider the pressure on their own officers. The decision to interdict the officers could also have a negative impact on police morale, he added. 

He noted that feedback from the general public had also been extremely supportive of the officers.