Kandy, Batti, A'pura police stations lead NPC's public complaints list

The Kandy, Batticaloa and Anuradhapura police stations had more than 20 public complaints each against them within one year, reveals the latest National Police Commission's annual report submitted to Parliament this week.

According to the report which covered police activities in 2018, more than 15 complaints each were recorded against the Polgahawela and Badulla Police stations while more than 10 complaints each were received against the

Mirihana, Panadura South, Kalmunai, Kaththankudi, Matara, Ratnapura and Narammala police stations.

Overall, the NPC received 1,651 public complaints against police officers in 2018, with 655 of these complaints pertaining to police inaction while 465 related to abuse of power. There were 224 complaints over partiality while 104 complaints were lodged by persons claiming police had framed false charges against them. There were 30 complaints alleging assault by police officers while three complaints of torture were also recorded. There were two complaints regarding deaths in police custody.

The NPC says that 1,190 of these complaints had been investigated and necessary relief provided in terms of the country's laws. Classification of the complaints lodged in 2018 indicates that 40 percent of the complaints were over police inaction, 30 percent over abuse of power, and 15 percent over partiality towards one party.

Upon conclusion of the investigations, steps were taken to initiate disciplinary action against 69 police officers, the report adds.