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Video emerges of Sri Lanka's police chief assaulting staff, spokesperson says staff disobeyed Buddhist meditation rules

A video has emerged of Sri Lanka's police chief, Pujith Jayasundara assaulting two junior members of staff at the police headquarters. 

The footage, which was published Lanka-E-News, was captured on CCTV and shows Mr Jayasundara manhandling and making threatening gestures to the two men. The incident is believed to have taken place in April this year. 

Responding to the video, the police spokesperson, Ruwan Gunasekara said the police chief had been reprimanding the men for not obeying the police department's rules on morning meditation for Buddhists. 

“The session is held every morning at 8.30 to 8.45 right after playing national anthem and police anthem. All Buddhists have been instructed to engage in the meditation session whilst the rest of the non-Buddhists had been asked to observe their religious prayers within this period," he was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying. 

"This rule had been enforced on all policemen in Police Headquarters and police stations countrywide. However, those assigned on special duties such as at 119 emergency telephone service, sentry and guard points as well as policemen in charge of receiving complaints at respective stations are exempted from practising this morning rule as it would disturb the general public,” he added. 

“Since this novel concept is embraced by many optimistic policemen in the department and follow with heart and soul it had helped to make a revolutionary change in the way how police officers approach their daily duties with a sound and positive mindset."

"During the period this meditation is practiced and except for those who are exempted from following it, there shouldn’t be any activity or movement of staffers allowed within the department including the lift operator. Since nobody is moving during this period it was questionable as to why the lift operator had disobeyed to practice his meditation."
 

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