photo: Police Headquaters issued this picture which was saved in the phone of a 16 year-old who was arrested for a number of robberies in the Uva Province.
Police Spokesman SP Prishantha Jayakody said several incidents of residents attacking individuals arriving in their villages have been reported and the strangers are being attacked irrationally by the villagers under the false concept of "Grease Devils".
The Sri Lankan police have arrested at least 47 "Grease Devils" who allegedly sexually assaulting women in rural areas, causing panic, reports said.
The police said they have received information of certain individuals spreading false rumors, ganging up and engaging in such activities for their own amusement while others are avenging personal grudges.
The Spokesman warned that there is no leniency in law for unrealistic ghost tales and those who taking the law into their own hands and carrying out such attacks will be punished regardless of their status.
The police requested the public to act more responsibly and appropriately an if spotted any suspicious activity or individuals to contact the nearest police station or dial 119, 118 police hotlines.
CP
Grease devils’, a myth - Gotabhaya
Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa asks the people not to be misled by the myth of ‘grease devils’ and harass police or kill innocent persons.
He says that there have been several stone attacks on police over the myth, and notes that police had been there to protect public life since 1928.
The defence secretary says this falsehood has led to the butchering to death of two innocent men.
Speaking at a meeting yesterday (Aug. 12), he asked the people to trust the police and not to be misled by the myth of ‘grease devils.’
He went onto say that the police had to give priority in the past 30 years to combat terrorism, but the government has changed the situation now.
Mr. Rajapaksa added that several features would be added to the police force to make it a community service
SLM
