‘I owe Rs. 500 to Sri Lanka police’

 Apr 21, 2016

This incident that happened some time ago was related to us by a senior DIG. The high ranking policeman had a drink with a friend at the police mess. The friend paid the bill and left for home around midnight.

On the way, he was stopped by two PCs on duty at Baseline Road. A little inebriated, the DIG’s friend put down the glass pane to speak to the PC. He was told, “Ah. It appears you have had many drinks. By the smell of it, it cannot be coconut or old arrack, but Black. It is not just Black, but Double Black. Am I saying the truth?”

“Don’t you know, Ralahami, met a friend after a long time. So, has had something. But, I did nothing wrong.” The PC replied, “Isn’t drunken driving an offence? We are suffering on the streets in the nights. At least give that cigarette packet,” he said, pointing to a Marlboro packet in the front seat. But, it had only one cigarette remaining.

“Oh, Ralahami, there is only one left. I cannot give it to you. I need it to survive until a packet is bought tomorrow.”

The PC ordered the friend, “I too, have no use of one cigarette. At least give money to buy a Gold Leaf packet.” Seeing that he will have to give something to escape the policeman, he went through his shirt pocket and found Rs. 200, which was the balance after paying the bill at the police mess. He gave that to the PC, who had a look around, grabbed it and put it into his pocket.

The friend, about to leave the policeman, told him, “Sorry, Ralahami. That is what is left with me. I had to pay the bill for the drinks. When we have drinks with your bosses, we cannot expect them to pay the bill. Their positions may be big, but they get a small salary.”

Becoming alarmed, the PC said, What, what did you say? Did you drink with our bosses? What is his name?”

When the friend mentioned the name of the DIG, the PC immediately took out the money he was given and returned it to him, saying “Aren’t you a funny man? You should have said that you drank with the DIG. Do not tell the DIG about this. I will be in trouble.”

The friend had a hearty laugh and went home. Before getting undressed, he put the money returned to him by the PC on the table, and found that in addition to the Rs. 200 he had given him, there was a Rs. 500 note too. What had happened was that alarmed by the mention of the DIG’s name, the PC had given him not only the Rs. 200, but also a Rs. 500 note in his pocket.

Since that day, the friend keeps a watch when returning home late to find that PC to return the Rs. 500. But, he has not yet been able to locate him. So, he is saying that he owes Rs. 500 to Sri Lanka police.