Police urged to conduct traffic inspections professionally

Traffic officers must conduct vehicle stops in locations visible to the public rather than hiding in isolated areas or behind bushes, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) W.P.J. Senadheera, in charge of the Traffic and Road Safety Range.

Departmental guidelines dictate that roadside duties be performed with transparency, avoiding arbitrary stops or actions that suggest the solicitation of money. When a vehicle requires interception for a traffic offence, officers should utilise visible areas such as bus stops or pursue the vehicle while clearly identifying their role and purpose.

Motorists are not required to make direct payments to officers. Fines must be settled through legally authorised channels, such as post offices. Roadside payments made outside these procedures risk violating the Bribery Act, and motorists should refrain from offering money to officers.

These directives follow the circulation of a social media video alleging a police officer accepted a bribe in connection with the Dambulla Highway Unit. Investigations into the matter continue under the supervision of senior officials. The officer involved faces suspension from traffic duties and a transfer while undergoing disciplinary and legal proceedings.

The issue on unprofessional vehicle inspection by police was raised following a viral video posted on social media that sparked alarm among the public and netizens alike, questioning police conduct during a routine vehicle check near the Wariyapola Police Station.

The video shows how a man riding a motorcycle with his daughter from Kurunegala towards Padeniya at around 1 a.m. on August 8, was stopped by a group of police officers displaying a firearm.

The motorcycle rider writes on his social media platform:
“On 08-08-2026, at around 1:00 a.m., I was travelling by motorcycle from Kurunegala towards Padeniya with my daughter. Near the Wariyapola Police area, several police officers stopped us by showing weapons and signalling us to stop. At that time, my motorcycle was travelling at around 45 km/h, possibly a maximum of around 50 km/h. When I saw the signal to stop, I was already slowing down and preparing to stop. I personally was not very frightened at the time. However, when I looked at my daughter, I realised that she was very frightened after seeing the weapons. My question is: Is it normal or legally permitted for police officers to display weapons when stopping a vehicle for a routine traffic check?. My concern is that such an action could cause a rider to panic and fall from the motorcycle, collide with another vehicle, or even become frightened and continue without stopping. I am not posting this to accuse anyone. I simply want to know what the proper legal and normal police procedure is in a situation like this.”