Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya is facing intense criticism and calls for his resignation after publicly endorsing corporal punishment, just days into his new role.

The controversy erupted following remarks he made at a function at Sri Lanka Law College, where he referred to a recent complaint about a school principal assaulting a 14-year-old student. The IGP, recalling his own childhood experience of being beaten by his mother, suggested that such punishment had helped him “develop.” The comments were widely interpreted as condoning physical discipline of children and sparked outrage on social media, while some television stations removed the video from circulation.

Human rights activists and child protection advocates have condemned the remarks as deeply inappropriate and harmful, arguing that they trivialise a serious complaint and prejudice the victim. Critics noted that the IGP’s comments risk undermining public confidence in police impartiality when handling cases of child abuse.

Legal experts pointed out that corporal punishment is prohibited under Sri Lanka’s Penal Code, and the IGP’s stance directly contravenes both domestic law and international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Activists highlighted Articles 5 and 7 of the ICCPR Act, which guarantee children protection from violence and the right to seek redress from rights violations.

The critics further warned that such remarks could discourage parents from reporting abuse in schools, recalling previous cases where police failed to act against teachers and principals accused of assaulting children.

Rights groups are demanding urgent corrective action, including:

• An immediate retraction and public apology by the IGP to the victim’s family.
• Intervention by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to issue guidelines on handling complaints involving children.
• Circulation of Education Ministry circulars prohibiting corporal punishment to all police officers, including the IGP, to reinforce awareness of the law.

Advocates stressed that the IGP must abandon outdated notions of discipline and recognise the proven harms of physical punishment.