Sri Lankan Cricketer Ashen Bandara who was enlisted as an Inspector of Police recently, along with three other national cricketers Kusal Janith Perera (Chief Inspector), Chamara Silva (Chief Inspector) and Nuwan Pradeep (Inspector) is perhaps the first Inspector of the Sri Lanka Police to sport a tattoo whilst dressed in unform.
Sri Lanka’s Police Inspector and Sri Lankan Cricketer Ashen Bandara sports a tattoo on his left arm
Over the years many Sri Lankan youth who wished to join the Police were rejected, as having a tattoo was a reason for instant rejection in the recruitment process.
When the Morning Telegraph contacted (Rtd) Senior DIG Priyantha Jayakody for clarification on this matter, he said ” As a practice no one was ever enlisted to join the Sri Lanka Police if they had a tattoo in the past. Even when sportsmen were taken to represent the Police, they were never enlisted nor provided with uniforms. But this seems to be a very interesting case now, as his enlistment and appointment with tattoos is a violation of the Fundamental Rights of many others who had been rejected in the past for sporting a tattoo. Its best to find out from the Police Commission itself as under what conditions was this particular recruitment criteria overlooked. Who knows, perhaps they even amended the recruitment process just to simply accommodate these cricketers. This might also be an opportunity now for existing Police Officers to also have their bodies painted with tattoos of their choice.”
Chief Inspector (Sri Lankan Cricketer) Kusal Janith Perera (third from left) in a short sleeved uniformed shirt whilst Inspector (Sri Lankan Cricketer) Ashen Bandara (5th from right) is seen wearing a long sleeved uniformed shirt at the back
Earlier today it was quite noticeable that whilst the other enlisted cricketers were wearing short sleeved uniform shirts, Ashen Bandara wore a long-sleeved shirt and was seen standing at the back when the group picture was taken.
