Not exactly right master. I was once copped at thorana junction, Peliyagoda for crossing the Kandy road forcibly during traffic hours and this hidden cop (well built dark 6 footer) whistled at me and asked me to stop. I camly responded "Dekke ne Ralahamy" when he walked over to me. then this guy replied "Dakin nethi wenna mama heluwellen da Booruwo".
All I wanted to say was that If I had seen him I wouldnt have breached his hand signals. Long story short- I ended up with a fine
I later found out that he was the Traffic OIC (Pushpa***ra) at Peliyagoda police at that time and "ralahamy" term initiated all that debacle.
I didnt know to identify their titles by the stars in their uniforms. My father gave me a 2 hr lecture on how to read the stars, but still I dont remember those.
However I now use this rule of thumb - I call every cop "SIR"