Government ready to protect any racketeer for its sustenance. - Karu

On Friday, 08 November 2013 

'The innocent has become the victim and the wrong doer has been evicted.  Those who carried out the law have been punished.  The government is ready to protect any racketeer even If he is engaged in anti social activity, for its sustenance' said by by Hon. Karu Jayasuriya,Chairman of United Leadership Council of United National Party, on a media statement released today.

The Government has exposed some features of its true nature by transferring immediately 24 police officers attached to organized crime investigations division of the Police Head Quarters, including 4 officers of the rank of inspectors, subsequent to the raiding of a gambling den in the vicinity of the eye hospital.

One is the government which boasts of making Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia, is considering casinos and gambling spots as the only means to sustain the economy of the country.  It shows that the government has stooped down to protect their means of survival even by sacrificing the Officers who are brave enough to impose law against the criminals.  Also this indicates the fate of those who go against the racketeers, who have the protection of the government.

Another factor is the negative attitude towards the rule of law.  The government introduced the 18th Amendment by using its so called two third majority and repealed the 17th Amendment which was introduced to establish a good governance in the country, including a Police Commission.  It is clearly shown by this incident that the dictatorial behavior of the government and politicization of the public service including the police with the power obtained through the 18th Amendment.

It is revealed that a powerful person connected to the government holding a high position is instrumental for this transfer.  Influential people including some lawyers and rich businessmen were taken into custody.

The only offence committed by the 23 police officers, including the 4 inspectors of the organized crime detection division of the Police Headquarters is arresting the individuals engaged in an unlawful act and raiding the gambling place which the government considers as the only alternative to sustain the economy of the government.  After January 2012, all casinos and gambling spots are illegal and those who are engaged in such activities are considered as engaged in an illegal activity.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Accordingly the people who operated the gambling den and those who were taken into custody were engaged in an illegal act and they should be punished.

In this instance what has happened is similar to the action taken by King “Kekille”, the innocent has become the victim and the wrong doer has been evicted.  Those who carried out the law have been punished.  The government is ready to protect any racketeer even If he is engaged in anti social activity, for its sustenance.

It is evident from this incident, the ill effects of the 18th Amendment which steer the county towards a dictatorship by adding enormous powers around the executive presidency.

The transfer of the police officers has brought to light the threat faced by the law enforcement institutions and the officers due to lack of rule of law.  We are witnessing another dark side of the tragedy the country is undergoing at present.  We wish to emphasize the importance of establishing a new rule by throwing out the present rulers who drag the country towards this tragedy and build a nation where good governance and peace reigns.