A police constable attached to the Gothatuwa Police Station has fled the premises after verbally abusing the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) who confronted him for watching a video on his mobile phone while on duty, police sources said.

The incident reportedly occurred when the OIC questioned the constable—who had been assigned as the telephone operator—for watching a video on his mobile phone during duty hours. The constable is said to have responded using obscene language and subsequently fled the station.

According to reports, the constable had gone to the single quarters at the station, removed his police uniform, dressed in civilian clothes, and left the premises, taking with him his uniform and police identity card.

It was a female officer attached to the administrative section who had initially reported the constable’s behaviour to the OIC, citing that his actions were disrupting the duties of other police officers and staff members on duty.

Police investigations are underway.