Three police officers were interdicted on Friday in connection with the incident where an autistic youth was allegedly assaulted by the Police officers on duty at a checkpoint in Dharga Town, Aluthgama.
An inquiry has already commenced on the incident on the orders of Acting IGP C.D Wickramaratne.
One Sub Inspector, a Police Sergeant and a Police Constable were interdicted for failing to carry out their duties. They had been assigned to the Aluthgama police station on special duty.
The alleged assault received a severe backlash on social media after the incident was revealed by former Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) MP Ali Zahir Moulana.
Former Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara and former MP Namal Rajapaksa condemned the attack calling for a full investigation. Sangakkara on twitter called it ‘absolutely disgusting’. This prompted the police to commence an inquiry into the incident.
The alleged assault on the boy, a resident of the area had taken place on May 25 when he had ventured out during curfew.
CCTV footage was released showing the boy being assaulted by the policemen on duty. Moulana alleged that the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) who examined the boy had also racially profiled him. Police are awaiting medical reports of the youth, sources said.
According to a social media post by former MP Ali Zahir, the child had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 4 and at present has the mental capacity of a 6-year-old.