A senior lawyer has strongly criticised the Sri Lanka Police after a video recorded inside the Panadura Police Station showing a doctor and an engineer being questioned was widely circulated on social media.
Senior Lawyer Thishya Weragoda said on Facebook that the video, apparently recorded without the couple’s consent, amounted to “a ghost-like interrogation” and a clear violation of privacy. “This video shows, at the very least, an inquiry conducted without obtaining the permission or consent of the citizens concerned,” he wrote.
Weragoda recalled that during a recent webinar with Police Senior DIG Ajith Rohana, officials had pledged that all investigations would respect the right to privacy under the Personal Data Protection Act. “What these two officers have done is the opposite — intimidating citizens and discouraging people from coming to the police,” he said
The video, recorded inside Panadura Police Station, shows a female doctor and a male engineer responding to questions from police officers. The footage was later released on social media, where it spread widely. According to initial information, the two professionals had visited the police to make a complaint, not because they were suspects in any crime.
Reports suggest the recording and release followed an internal dispute in which officers had allegedly sought a bribe. Critics claim the video was published in retaliation after the individuals complained about the alleged misconduct.
Weragoda further questioned what action the Sri Lanka Police would take against the officers involved. “What steps will the police take against officials who clearly do not understand what privacy means?” he asked.
“This is not merely a violation of privacy; it is a deliberate act of humiliation,” Weragoda said, calling for firm disciplinary action and renewed respect for citizens’ rights inside police stations. (Newswire)