IGP’s meditation madness comes under fire

• Gives wrong image to the international community already concerned about institutionalised torture 
• Sports Minister calls to replace meditation with a PT period to improve fitness 
• Police Spokesperson denies all, says defamatory case will be filed in civil court

Concerns have been raised on the legality of the mandatory meditation practice imposed by the Sri Lanka Police and IGP Pujitha Jayasundara’s uncontrolled rage directed at a police minor staff member. 

Faced with a barrage of questions on the recently leaked CCTV footage of IGP Jayasundara manhandling a lift operator at the police headquarters, grabbing him by the collar while making threatening gestures at him for failing to join the mandatory meditation program, Police Spokesperson SSP Ruwan Gunasekara was at a loss of words to defend his superior’s behaviour. 

Cabinet co-spokesperson Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that this type of incident could be damaging to a police force which is already accused of institutionalised torture and violence. He added that it would be difficult to refute such allegations “if the IGP behaves in such a manner”. 

Cabinet Co-spokesperson Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara admitted that there was a legal concern in issuing circulars to engage in religious practices with a Government institution such as the Police Department. 

The Sports Minister was also of the view that the meditation program should be replaced with a physical training period for all in the police department to improve their fitness to help them “chase thieves better”.

While acknowledging that the incident occurred, SSP Gunesekara insisted that the lift operator was not assaulted and added that there has been no formal complaint by the victim over the matter, to which Cabinet co-spokesperson Senaratne candidly noted that the complaints may not have been recorded by the responsible officers. 

Asked if the violent behaviour of the IGP was a direct result of the meditation program he is set on implementing, Gunesekara said that the IGP was of the habit of conducting inspection rounds during the 15 minutes allocated for the practice to ensure compliance and did not take part in the program himself. 

In an attempt to defend the IGP, SSP Gunesekara insisted that no assault took place but admitted the minor staff member was scolded and claimed that the Police would pursue the case with a defamatory law suit against those who released the video.

“There are defamatory elements in the video; we are carrying out the inquiry and will take action later,” he said. 

A separate inquiry has been initiated into how the CCTV footage in the custody of the CID was leaked to the media, SSP Gunesekara said.