Hold the IGP personally responsible

As country-wide protests against the Government escalates, there is a growing concern regarding the conduct of the police. In the latest development, barricades have been erected around the presidential secretariat and other government institutions with spikes concealed by black tarp. The never before seen contraptions are intended to cause severe harm to protestors who would come in contact with them. Such inhuman measures should be condemned and the police be held accountable for any harm caused by such deliberate action.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) noted its concern on the heavy presence of police personnel and the barricading of some of the roads leading to Galle Face where even pedestrians have been prevented from travelling. In a statement it noted the concerns regarding the latest methods used by the police to stall growing protests. “The attention of the BASL has been drawn by its members and by the public, that certain barricades have been fitted with spikes and covered with black material and that these barricades may well cause serious injuries to persons.” 

The BASL called upon the Government, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and all police officers and the armed forces to act with utmost restraint in all circumstances noting that they are duty bound to ensure the safety of the protesters and the public and the right of the people to dissent in a peaceful manner and also the freedom of movement of the citizen.

This comes only days after the police shot at protesters killing an individual in Rambukkana on 19 April. Here the police used violence, including beating with batons, and firing live ammunition repeatedly at people fleeing the area.

The Sri Lanka Collective against Torture (SLCAT) in a statement noted, “Police brutality is systemic and widespread and has become a normalised part of the maintenance of law and order in the country.” It urged decision makers to address the structural nature of this problem and to respond expeditiously and meaningfully to victims of such violence. These latest escalations are just blips in the long and disgraceful history of police brutality in this country. In the last two years alone at least 17 persons were killed while in the custody of the police. In 2011 police fired live ammunition at a group of protesters at the Katunayake Free Trade Zone and killed a 21-year-old man.

It is time to hold individuals personally responsible for these violations. The responsibility of police actions must squarely lie with the IGP. The current incumbent, Chandana D. Wickramaratne in the wake of the Rambukkana killing made a statement to the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission that he had not ordered the use of live ammunition to the police on the ground. This does not absolve the IGP of responsibility. He does not and cannot be expected to handle every operational situation. Yet he is responsible for the overall rules of conduct of his institution and personnel. He should give clear instructions to his subordinates on the use of force against civilians and ensuring maximum constraint. Failing to do so is an act of negligence at best.

Further the current IGP has perpetuated the culture of violence within the police force. During his watch the killing of persons in the custody of the police has continued. At least 17 custodial deaths have been reported. Not a single officer has been held accountable for those deaths. By these omissions there is even a reasonable doubt whether the police are commissioned to carry out such custodial killings, especially of prominent criminal figures for the benefit of interested parties. It is through such a culture of violence and dehumanising, that attacking and harming protesters is normalised and condoned within the police.

IGP Chandana D. Wickramaratne must take responsibility for the current state of affairs within his department and he must be held personally responsible for any escalation that may result in further harm to protesters due to police action.