Provincial Police; A Necessity For The Restoration Of Democratic Rights
By Ayathuray Rajasingam -November 5, 2013
Ayathuray Rajasingam
The question whether Police powers be given to Provincial Council has been a hot topic in Sri Lanka. The issue arose because there is suspicion that the Police has not shown any interest in protecting the people, but to protect themselves on account of the pressures applied by the unscrupulous politicians. It appears they are not allowed to perform their duties independently.
It was a common scene that some Police officers were seen without doing anything when properties belonging to Tamils became the target of burning during the civil disturbances and this trend continued to exist when unlawful attacks were launched on the temples, churches and mosques by some satanic organizations. The manner in which political opponents were taken into custody and tortured bear testimony that Police failed to stand up to their highest ethical standard. Moreover, the administrative and disciplinary authority was delegated to the Secretary of Defence by virtue of the 18th Amendment, when, in fact, it should have remained with the IGP. It is this power of issuing command or order which germinates at this juncture for the birth of a totalitarian State. The product of such a situation saw the launching of unlawful attacks on the temples, churches and mosques as aforesaid. No civilized country have ever tolerated their Police watching such hooligans taking the law into their hands. The issue is whether the Police is a close partner in the collapse of democratic institutions, because some Police personnel were involved in the murders of some citizens for want of money in an unlawful manner, demonstrating the lack of service-orientation. It is also questionable whether the Police have concealed truth on account of the pressure from the ruling politicians or their associates, because of the promotion or some respectable jobs after retirement. Further, the manner in which the behaviour of the Police at Hulftsdorp and on the departure of Justice Dr.Shirani Bandaranayake shows the level of corruption that prevailed in the structure of Sri Lanka Police. What is still most astonishing is the link the Police had with underworld criminals who have been utilized for the illegal activities. Sri Lanka has become a notorious country where the rulers contact the Police to release hard core criminals to commit crimes against humanity. The list can be stretched. Such monstrous actions of the Police taking such command from undesirable characters are rare in Federal countries, but common in developing countries like Burma, Pakistan, Bangladesh and some African countries. Such a monstrous command leading to the erosion of democracy and the collapse of Police institutions calls for the establishment of Police at Provincial level in the best interests of the public as a first step. Read More
