A police constable has been arrested over allegations that he published Facebook posts insulting to the President and the government, and interacted with similar content on social media, police said on Friday.
The arrest was made by officers of the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). Daily Mirror reported that the operation was carried out by the Bureau’s Cyber Crime Investigation Division, and that the suspect was taken into custody on Friday.
According to police, the investigation began after the Inspector General of Police received a complaint about the alleged online activity and instructed the CCIB to conduct a formal inquiry.
The suspect was serving at the office of the Assistant Senior Superintendent of Police in Embilipitiya at the time of his arrest, NewsFirst reported. Daily Mirror described the posting as attached to the Embilipitiya Senior Superintendent of Police office.
NewsFirst reported that the officer had previously served for several years on the security detail of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Authorities said legal action would be instituted under provisions of the Penal Code. Daily Mirror reported that the officer was scheduled to be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Neither outlet published the content of the posts, the officer’s name, or the identity of the complainant. Police have not said which Penal Code provisions are being relied on, and no charges have been formally reported.
Sources: NewsFirst; Daily Mirror.
