A retired Officer in Charge (OIC), who previously served at the Mahabage Police Station, suffered severe eye damage after being attacked by a group of officers from the same station. He is currently receiving treatment at Ragama Hospital.
The retired OIC, aged 46, shared his ordeal with the media. He explained that he had served in the police force for 24 years before retiring on March 1, 2023, due to personal reasons, despite having the option to continue his service for another 14 years. Since his retirement, he had no contact with the police.
On the night of July 17, while returning from a private trip at around 1:30 a.m., he felt extremely sleepy. The day before, a blood sugar test had revealed his blood sugar level was 250, and he believed there might be a connection between this report and his sleepiness. Consequently, he parked his vehicle on Gunasekara Mawatha in the Mahabage Police Domain and fell asleep.
While he was sleeping in his car, a three-wheeler parked in front of his vehicle, and three uniformed policemen approached him, stating that there had been 119 complaint about his parked car. They harshly scolded him. Despite trying to explain his situation and expecting the officers to assist him given his condition, the policemen assaulted him and called for additional officers.
The retired OIC did not reveal his former position, thinking it would be inappropriate as he was now an ordinary citizen. The officers then put him in a police tricycle, continued to beat him, and took him to Mahaba Police Station. It was only after arriving at the station that an officer recognized him and addressed him as “sir,” revealing his former role as the officer in charge of the Minor Complaints Division at Mahabage police station.
Upon realizing his identity, the officers’ behavior changed. They apologized, stating that if they had known his status from the beginning, the situation would have been different. The retired OIC questioned why ordinary citizens would be treated in such a manner by the police, who are supposed to ensure public safety. He insisted that charges be filed against them the officers who harassed him, but the officers called the officer in charge of the mahabage police station, who instructed them to release him. However, they kept his identity card, driver’s license, and two mobile phones.
The next morning, he retrieved his belongings from the police station and went to Ragama Hospital, where doctors admitted him due to the severe condition of his eye. He noted that some officers at Mahabage Police Station appeared prepared to file false charges against him for obstructing police duty.
Reflecting on his experience, the retired OIC emphasized the need for police reforms to prevent such abuses of power and to ensure the police remain a public-friendly service rather than a public-oppressive force. He highlighted that during his service, he witnessed officers making false accusations against the public and imprisoning them. He expressed concern that if false charges could be brought against a former officer, ordinary citizens would face even greater injustices.
He concluded by stating that he plans to take legal action against the officers involved in the attack and inform the necessary authorities.
Attempts to contact the station OIC of Mahabage Police Station for comment were unsuccessful, as an officer stated he was on special duty for the President’s visit.
