Police Director of Traffic SP Hapugoda unmasked!

Attending a recent meeting called by Director Traffic of the Police, SP Indika Hapugoda to discuss issues faced by motorcyclists, convenor of the Ceylon Motorcyclists Association, Chirantha Amerasinghe says the officer insulted them claiming that majority of those riding motorcycles with various modifications are hoodlums who are useless to society.

The association says they are in possession of a recording where the officer says “වාහන/බයික් වෙනස් කරන්නේ සමාජයට වැඩක් නැති, කොන්ඩ ගහලා, පච්ච ගහලා කකුල් වහලා, කුඩු ගහලා යන රස්තියාදු කාරයෝ” (Those who modify cars/ bikes are tattooed drug addicts and hoodlums who are useless to society).

According to the group they had merely wanted to discuss the unfairness of the decision made to charge between Rs 50 000 - 100 000 as fines for vehicle modifications when Hapugoda had started ranting at them during the meeting held on June 12.

Despite being a high ranking officer in the Traffic Division, during the discussion, Amerasinghe says when speaking about the ‘blindspot’ Hapugoda did not know the term and another officer had to explain it to him. “How did such an officer who has no knowledge get this position” Amerasinghe questions adding that a fruitful discussion is not possible with such an officer with no knowledge about the topic.

The association has also revealed past transgressions of SP Hapugoda, who is considered and known to be a corrupt officer in the Police department. He was linked to a 2001 fundamental rights case relating to the torture of a woman heard in the Supreme Court and mentioned in the report (SCM 21/09/2001). As a result, the Police Commission had halted his promotions. (http://www.island.lk/2004/08/02/news08.html)

However, the promotion was later awarded by the Chief Justice (SCFR No 392/2004) despite the allegations against him.

In 2010 he was also caught and arrested after mining for historical artefacts at a Rajamaha Vihara in Polonnaruwa. Department sources say he was sidelined by former IGP N.K Illangakoon due to his known corrupt practices.

However, he is now said to be wielding great power within the Traffic Division and having significant influence over decisions even being made by SDIG of Traffic, Nandana Munasinghe as well.

“We question as to how an officer with such a bad track record was appointed to the position of Director Traffic,” Amerasinghe asks adding that his qualifications to hold such a post must be explained as he does not seem to have the necessary knowledge.

The association has requested the Police Commission to now commence an investigation into the officer and his conduct.