Harassment by Mirihana Police and Presidential Security Division

On the morning of 30 May one constable from Mirihana Police visited me seeking information of people living at my premises. He was accompanied by a few neighbours and known SLPP activists. He requested me to fill a form. I told him all the information sought was filed regularly with the GS for updating of voter list. He however insisted that it was needed by the Police separately and said he would be back soon to collect. I filled it, kept ready and moved on with my work.

An hour or two later it had been collected by a neighbour (and a SLPP activist). This time no constable, nor any Government official. What business is it of neighbours to collect confidential information of fellow neighbours? Is this the first step towards getting neighbours to spy and report on fellow neighbours? If the HQI was short staffed why didn’t he request us to mail it?

On 31 May morning there were three more constables seeking the same information handed in over 24 hours earlier. They claimed they were from the Presidential Security Division. They said they needed to check whether there had been any changes since submitting the last form. I politely but firmly declined to submit any more information and told them not to harass the public who already have to cope with multitude of issues. 

Please inquire into the matter and stop political activists collecting confidential information of the public. Also please do not allow political parties to use Police personnel to gather information.

Padmasena Dissanayake