The public is permitted to video the actions of Police Officers while on duty, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya said, issuing a special statement.
According to investigative media website, Medialk, issuing a directive addressed to all Police officers, the Acting IGP said that such actions by the public are not considered illegal or against the law.
He further said that the videos obtained by the public could also be utilized as evidence in both criminal and civil cases, as per the laws of the nation.
The Acting IGP’s order comes in the backdrop of an incident reported in Wariyapola recently, where a Police officer threatened an individual for videoing former minister Lohan Ratwatte’s defender, which had met in an accident.
Earlier this week, commenting on the incident, Minister of Public Security Vijitha Herath also condemned the actions of the Police officer, stating that he does not accept the intervention of a Police officer in such a situation.
“It was obvious that a Police officer had threatened a man who had videoed the vehicle. It is wrong. He cannot do so. It is the right of any person to video such an incident,” he said.
Following the minister’s footsteps, the Acting IGP too has informed that the public can video such incidents and actions of Police officers on duty.
