At least three individuals have been hospitalised following an alleged assault by Sri Lankan police officers in Jaffna, with reports stating the officers were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
The incident took place in the Manalkadu area of Vadamarachchi East, where officers attached to the occupying Kankesanthurai Divisional Crime Prevention Unit had travelled in an official vehicle.
According to reports, the officers had been on what was described as a “recreational” outing. They are said to have cooked food, consumed alcohol and engaged in celebratory activities at the location.
An argument subsequently arose between the officers and a group of tourists who had travelled from the Point Pedro area to Manalkadu. The dispute escalated into a physical confrontation, where it is alleged that two individuals were assaulted by the intoxicated officers and sustained injuries. Both were admitted to the Point Pedro Base Hospital for treatment.
A Sri Lankan police officer was also reportedly injured during the incident and is receiving treatment at the same hospital.
%20(2).JPG)
The incident has prompted calls for a formal departmental inquiry, particularly over the use of an official police vehicle for a recreational outing. Concerns have also been raised over allegations that officers, while heavily intoxicated and partially undressed in a public space, engaged in disorderly conduct.
The Human Rights Commission has also launched an investigation into the incident. The Jaffna Regional Coordinator of the Human Rights Commission, T. Kanagaraj, confirmed that statements have been recorded from those injured in the incident.