By Dwayne Ferreira.
Padukka police officer footage shows a traffic stop escalating as the officer appears to lash out at a civilian and use homophobic abuse.
PADUKKA, Sri Lanka – A video circulating on social media has raised fresh concerns over police conduct after a uniformed officer in Padukka was filmed becoming involved in a heated confrontation with a motorist and another civilian during what appears to have begun as a routine traffic stop.
The footage appears to show the police officer dealing with a driver who had been stopped and was reportedly being issued a traffic ticket when the situation rapidly escalated.
As a civilian records the encounter on a mobile phone and questions the officer, the policeman appears increasingly agitated by the exchange.
At one point, the officer is seen reaching towards the person filming and apparently attempting to grab the mobile phone away from him.
The confrontation then becomes more heated, with the officer appearing to physically lash out during the encounter.
Questions Appear to Trigger Heated Exchange
The footage suggests that the civilian questioning the officer about his actions rather than physically confronting him.
The officer, however, appears to react angrily to the questioning.
After realising that the encounter was being recorded, the officer can be heard threatening to smash the driver’s phone on the ground, further escalating the confrontation.
During the exchange, he can be heard using abusive language, including remarks that appear to contain homophobic slurs directed at the civilian driver.
The Morning Telegraph has not independently established what occurred immediately before the recording began, what traffic offence was allegedly committed, or whether any action had been taken against the individuals involved following the confrontation.
Video Raises Questions Over Police Conduct
The incident is nevertheless likely to raise questions over whether an officer conducting a traffic stop is entitled to respond physically to a motorist or bystander simply for questioning his actions or recording the encounter.
It also raises concerns regarding the use of discriminatory and degrading language by serving police officers while interacting with members of the public.
Sri Lanka Police have previously acknowledged in other cases involving viral videos that an alleged traffic violation does not automatically justify the use of physical violence by an officer.
Following a widely circulated 2021 incident in Pannipitiya, then Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said police had “no right to assault” a driver despite allegations that the motorist had committed an offence. An investigation and disciplinary action were subsequently initiated against the officer involved.
The Ministry of Public Security has also recently expanded its 118 Public Security Service, allowing members of the public to lodge complaints involving Sri Lanka Police online and attach photographs and audio material.
As of publication, no official statement located by The Morning Telegraph had confirmed whether the officer seen in the Padukka footage had been identified, suspended, transferred or subjected to an internal investigation.
The Morning Telegraph will update this story if Sri Lanka Police issues a response or further information becomes available.
Watch the Video
The confrontation was captured on video and has since begun circulating on social media.
The footage appears to show the police officer becoming increasingly agitated as he is questioned by a civilian during the traffic stop. The officer is also seen reaching towards the person recording, apparently attempting to take the mobile phone away, before the exchange escalates further.
Watch the video below:
Viewer discretion is advised due to strong and offensive language contained in the footage.
