By a Senior Superintendent of Police (Retired)
A senior police officer with over four decades of service reflects on the recent confrontation between a police constable and a legal counsel, urging both professions to uphold dignity, resist political pressure, and protect public trust in justice.
As a police officer who has served this nation for over four decades — from Sub-Inspector to Senior Superintendent of Police — I write not as a commentator, but as one who has lived the law in uniform. I come from a proud line of policemen — the son of a constable who rose to Chief Inspector — and have served across the country and later as Deputy Director of Counter Terrorism at the State Intelligence Service, a diplomat abroad, and an Investigation Advisor at the FCID.
It is from this lifetime of experience that I reflect on a troubling incident — the recent confrontation between a police constable and a legal counsel at the Mt. Lavinia Courts — and its deeper implications for our institutions of justice.
The Emblem, Its Motto, and Its Promise
The Sri Lanka Police emblem bears the motto “Dhammo Bhave Rakkhati Dhammachari” — He who lives by the Dhamma (law) is protected by the Dhamma. The elephant in the emblem symbolizes strength, wisdom, and dignity — virtues that define the spirit of policing. True strength lies not in aggression but in restraint and integrity.
Yet, ideals are tested in moments of conflict. The allegation of assault by a legal counsel against a police constable at Mt. Lavinia was swiftly publicized. Before a full investigation, the constable was arrested and remanded. Soon after, the Headquarters Inspector of Mt. Lavinia was abruptly transferred — a reaction that revealed the inconsistency and political sensitivity clouding police administration. Such reactionary decisions erode morale and damage institutional credibility.
Two Pillars of Justice
In any democracy, the policeman and the lawyer are not adversaries but partners in justice. Their roles differ, but their purpose is one — to uphold the rule of law.
The Policeman – The Enforcer of Law: He represents the state’s authority, enforcing the law, maintaining order, and protecting the public through discipline and duty.
The Lawyer – The Defender of Law: He safeguards fairness and rights through interpretation and advocacy, ensuring that justice is administered with balance and integrity.
Together, they form two pillars of justice — one maintaining order, the other ensuring fairness. When they stand in opposition, justice itself is endangered.
When the Pillars Collide
A clash between a policeman and a lawyer, especially within court premises, goes beyond a personal altercation — it is a public fracture in the justice system. Within courts, both are bound by respect for judicial authority. When that respect is lost, it diminishes the very institutions they serve.
Publicly aired disputes fuel cynicism, convincing citizens that justice has lost its moral compass. Under public and political pressure, police leadership may act hastily to appear accountable, while lawyers’ associations rally defensively around their members. The cycle of blame and reaction begins — and both professions lose credibility.
In this particular case, both sides could have acted with greater restraint. The young constable, proud yet inexperienced, may have reacted emotionally. The learned counsel, with his experience and status, could have shown patience and composure. A single moment of reflection from either side could have prevented escalation — sparing both professions a public embarrassment amplified by social media.
The Real Cost: Erosion of Trust
When those entrusted to enforce and interpret the law fall into conflict, the greatest casualty is public trust. A policeman without respect for due process becomes oppressive; a lawyer who disrespects law enforcement becomes obstructive.
Both must remember that their authority stems from the same source — the law itself. Their duty is to justice, not to personal pride, institutional politics, or media narratives. The Mt. Lavinia incident should remind us that law enforcement and legal advocacy are two sides of the same coin: when they act in unity, justice stands firm; when they clash, the system falters.
Restoring Respect and Responsibility
The law is neither a weapon for power nor a shield for privilege. It is a sacred trust placed in the hands of those who serve it. Policemen and lawyers must protect that trust through professionalism, mutual respect, and restraint.
Disputes between officers of the court and law enforcement should be resolved internally, never in the public arena. The police hierarchy and legal bodies must resist political and media pressure when making disciplinary or administrative decisions. Reactionary measures, driven by image management rather than justice, weaken discipline and morale.
The independence of the law — and the confidence of the people — depends on both professions remaining free from political manipulation. The public expects not confrontation, but cooperation between the two guardians of justice.
Ultimately, the greatest responsibility lies with both sides to rebuild respect — not through rhetoric but through conduct. Policemen must enforce the law with dignity; lawyers must defend it with humility.
Only then can the justice system regain the moral strength embodied in the police emblem’s promise:
“He who lives by the law is protected by the law.”
(Writer isMahil Dole SSP Retired, Counter Terrorism Intelligence Analyst, Former Head of Counter Terrorism State Intelligence Service, former First Secretary (Defence) – Sri Lanka Embassy in Thailand and Present Member of the Waqfs Board.)
