Sri Lanka, Sept. 22 -- The reported transfer of a police officer attached to Parliament security over his alleged inspection of the briefcase of a VIP official, if true, should receive the utmost condemnation. The Assistant Superintendent of Police, in question, had been given marching orders on the grounds that he had obstructed the duties of the VIP official. According to the news report, the ASP had been transferred to Trincomalee division with the sanction of the National Police Commission.

It is not clear if the transfer was made due to this particular incident or some other disciplinary grounds. But if it was due to the former then it is a clear case of victimization which cannot be condoned. What is more, the incident could well a...