Professional Ethics, Conduct and Human Rights
Professional ethics, conduct and human rights tests whether you can apply the Constitution's fundamental rights and your employer's code in daily decisions.
Foundation
Chapter III of the Sri Lankan Constitution protects fundamental rights: equality before the law, non-discrimination, freedom from torture and cruel or degrading treatment, privacy, and a fair hearing. A guard is bound by those rights as well as by the employer's code of conduct. Ethical behaviour is not optional courtesy; it is what makes your actions and your evidence defensible.
The rules
- Treat everyone with dignity regardless of ethnicity, religion, language, gender, caste, or class.
- Use force only when necessary and proportionate - never as punishment and never on a restrained person.
- No bribes, gifts, or "tea money" for letting things pass.
- Confidentiality: do not discuss incidents, residents, or staff outside work.
- Declare conflicts of interest, such as a relative arriving at the gate.
- Report wrongdoing, including a colleague's.
Worked example
A visitor offers you LKR 2,000 to enter without a pass. Reasoning: accepting is corruption and a disciplinary offence, and it creates a security breach you will be blamed for. Decline politely, record the offer in your notebook, inform the supervisor, and follow the normal authorisation process.
Traps that cost marks
- Belittling or humiliating a person during a challenge.
- Continuing force after the threat has ended.
- Discussing an incident on social media.
- Accepting a small gift "just this once".