The tough stand taken by the National Police Commission against errant police officers who violate the fundamental rights of citizens should be lauded particularly given the recent reports on such acts that has brought a bad name to the Department.
According to our weekend newspaper the Sunday Observer the NPC has decided to summon the DIG of the Western Province to answer for the conduct of one of his charges who had coerced a complainant in a bribery case against him (the officer) to withdraw the complaint.
The complainant was later found shot dead. The NPC is aghast as to why this police officer was not transferred elsewhere while the case was pending and what action had been taken against this officer for threatening the complainant. Today some senior police officers are known to be indulgent towards their charges.
It is also no secret that certain superiors are known to go soft on complaints against their subordinates while in some instances even act in collusion to share in the spoils from illegal activity.
This turning a Nelsonian eye to the shenanigans of junior officers has encouraged callous disregard towards discipline that was once the hallmark of the Police Service. The same report says that the NPC has urged the IGP to take action against an OIC who turned abusive against an attorney-at-law. This is another characteristic of present day policemen who abuse their rank.
This is particularly seen among some traffic policemen who delight in abusing motorists. Such behaviour on the part of Police officers can only invite the contempt of the public.
It is evident that some Officers-in-charge of Police stations act as lords of all they survey in their precincts. Rude behaviour is not uncommon among certain police officers.
IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne who has pledged to clean up the Augean stables should first of all build the fallen image of the Police Department in the eyes of the public. He should ensure the police act as friends of the public and remove those bad eggs.
Time was when Sri Lanka had an exemplary police Department where personnel were picked after careful screening. We still read and come across accounts of the deeds of those legendary men in Khaki not only for acts of bravery and valour but also as gentlemen who brought honour to the service and won public esteem. True, times have changed and the service has to confront new challenges that were not there in those bygone days.
Today the duties of the Police have extended to several fronts and it is no longer confined to maintaining law and order. The decades long terrorist problem has redefined the role of the police with emphasis shifted from tackling local crime to engagement in anti-terror operations.
While the change in the role of the policeman should be appreciated in the present context the main function of the police as the guardians of the law should not be lost sight of.
It is therefore incumbent on the IGP to revert the police to its main function of being keepers of the peace while lending all support to the military in the anti-terrorist drive.
There is also the need for emphasising discipline in the Police Department which had taken a nosedive in recent times as evident from many an episode. There is also a need to rid the service of the bad eggs in order to send a clear message that Policemen cannot act with impunity.
The number of police officers involved in the Sakvithi scam is a clear example of the extent to which the cancer of bribery and corruption had eaten into the Department.
The astronomical sums deposited in the bogus finance company by ordinary policemen is a clear indication of the decay that is manifest in the Police Department.
The IGP who is making a genuine effort to stem the rot should receive the full backing of the authorities in his endeavour to bring the Police Department to its former glory as a public oriented State agency. (News-Dailynews Editorial)
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Monday, November 3, 2008
LTTE air attacks response to Govt victories in North Deputy Minister
Air attacks on last Tuesday are “a last ditch effort” by the LTTE, Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila said.
Speaking to RFI during a visit to Paris, Bhaila said the LTTE wanted to show they have the capacity to keep fighting.
“We have captured most Tiger strongholds in the North,” Bhaila said. The military has claimed that it is close to capturing Kilinochchi, the Minister said adding that humanitarian concerns are responsible for the delay.
“That was to allow the civilian population of Kilinochchi to leave for safer ground,” he said, adding that the Government has a “zero tolerance policy on civilian casualties”.
He accused the LTTE of using civilians as human shields.
Bhaila said “we are doing our utmost on the humanitarian ground”, including sending about 1,000 tonnes of food and medical supplies to conflict-hit areas. “I think we may be the only Government in the world which feeds the terrorists” he said.
Bhaila said elections will be held in the North.
“We want to have elections in the north, hand over power to the people so that it’ll be the Tamil people, who will decide their future,” he said.
Bhaila also hoped that about 100,000 Muslims will be able to return to the North.
“They were expelled from the North 19 years ago because the LTTE feared that they would back Colombo against the call for a Tamil homeland. They are still living in IDP camps,” Bhaila said. “But they want to go to the North.
They are not able to go because of this terrorist problem and we are eagerly awaiting the day when the Forces will be able to clear the North. The Muslims will then be able to go back.”The Minister said, development in the formerly conflict-torn region is now the envy of other Sri Lankans. (News-Dailynews)
Speaking to RFI during a visit to Paris, Bhaila said the LTTE wanted to show they have the capacity to keep fighting.
“We have captured most Tiger strongholds in the North,” Bhaila said. The military has claimed that it is close to capturing Kilinochchi, the Minister said adding that humanitarian concerns are responsible for the delay.
“That was to allow the civilian population of Kilinochchi to leave for safer ground,” he said, adding that the Government has a “zero tolerance policy on civilian casualties”.
He accused the LTTE of using civilians as human shields.
Bhaila said “we are doing our utmost on the humanitarian ground”, including sending about 1,000 tonnes of food and medical supplies to conflict-hit areas. “I think we may be the only Government in the world which feeds the terrorists” he said.
Bhaila said elections will be held in the North.
“We want to have elections in the north, hand over power to the people so that it’ll be the Tamil people, who will decide their future,” he said.
Bhaila also hoped that about 100,000 Muslims will be able to return to the North.
“They were expelled from the North 19 years ago because the LTTE feared that they would back Colombo against the call for a Tamil homeland. They are still living in IDP camps,” Bhaila said. “But they want to go to the North.
They are not able to go because of this terrorist problem and we are eagerly awaiting the day when the Forces will be able to clear the North. The Muslims will then be able to go back.”The Minister said, development in the formerly conflict-torn region is now the envy of other Sri Lankans. (News-Dailynews)
LTTE on verge of losing key supply line: Sri Lanka
COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on Sunday claimed to have pounded “an LTTE training and logistic base” located in the Iranamadu area in Mullathivu district.
Spokesperson Janaka Nanayakkara said the base is located north of Iranamadu jungle and “fighter jets accurately hit the target.”
The military claimed soldiers met with “less resistance” from the LTTE on the Wanni battlefront as they continued to consolidate defences in the newly-captured territory east and west of Kilinochchi. A Defence Ministry statement said sporadic fighting was reported close to the 12th mile post along the A-32 Mannar-Pooneryn Main Road on the western Kilinochchi battlefront. “Fighting was reported between troops and LTTE at Kovilkoduttavil, Podimuruppukulama and Urutirapurankulama. This phase of the military surge has forced the LTTE to retreat with heavy casualties. The LTTE is on the verge of losing its ‘supply line’ along the western coast,” it said.
The military claimed the LTTE had to relocate its artillery batteries — used to target civilian and military positions in Jaffna — on the outskirts of Pooneryn. “The military surge will force the LTTE to relocate its main guns towards Mullathivu, where the final stages of battles are expected.
Troops of the 57th Division, continuing their advances towards Kilinochchi, are now positioned north of the Akkarayankulama built-up area after weeks of intense fighting. The terrorists are faced with fierce multi-pronged attacks from the military, which has left scores of terrorists killed and many bunkers abandoned,” said the Defence Ministry.Indian aid
India and Sri Lanka are working out the modalities to deliver the 800 metric tones of food pledged by New Delhi. A meeting presided over by the President’s senior advisor, Basil Rajapaksa, was held here to discuss the logistics. Representatives of the Indian High Commission attended the meeting.
India made the commitment to supply food to the stranded citizens in the north over a week ago when Mr. Rajapaksa visited New Delhi to discuss the humanitarian crisis triggered by the war. (News-The Hindu)
Spokesperson Janaka Nanayakkara said the base is located north of Iranamadu jungle and “fighter jets accurately hit the target.”
The military claimed soldiers met with “less resistance” from the LTTE on the Wanni battlefront as they continued to consolidate defences in the newly-captured territory east and west of Kilinochchi. A Defence Ministry statement said sporadic fighting was reported close to the 12th mile post along the A-32 Mannar-Pooneryn Main Road on the western Kilinochchi battlefront. “Fighting was reported between troops and LTTE at Kovilkoduttavil, Podimuruppukulama and Urutirapurankulama. This phase of the military surge has forced the LTTE to retreat with heavy casualties. The LTTE is on the verge of losing its ‘supply line’ along the western coast,” it said.
The military claimed the LTTE had to relocate its artillery batteries — used to target civilian and military positions in Jaffna — on the outskirts of Pooneryn. “The military surge will force the LTTE to relocate its main guns towards Mullathivu, where the final stages of battles are expected.
Troops of the 57th Division, continuing their advances towards Kilinochchi, are now positioned north of the Akkarayankulama built-up area after weeks of intense fighting. The terrorists are faced with fierce multi-pronged attacks from the military, which has left scores of terrorists killed and many bunkers abandoned,” said the Defence Ministry.Indian aid
India and Sri Lanka are working out the modalities to deliver the 800 metric tones of food pledged by New Delhi. A meeting presided over by the President’s senior advisor, Basil Rajapaksa, was held here to discuss the logistics. Representatives of the Indian High Commission attended the meeting.
India made the commitment to supply food to the stranded citizens in the north over a week ago when Mr. Rajapaksa visited New Delhi to discuss the humanitarian crisis triggered by the war. (News-The Hindu)
Jayalalithaa fears funds, relief may be diverted to LTTE
CHENNAI: There is an apprehension among the people of Tamil Nadu that the money and relief materials will be diverted to the LTTE which has been using Tamils as a shield in the war against the Sri Lankan Army, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa said on Sunday.
“It is a genuine apprehension and I share it,” she said in a statement.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said petrol and other things were being smuggled to the LTTE from Tamil Nadu regularly and the relief materials would also eventually reach them.
“The funds and relief materials will never go the Tamils. People fear that the problems of the Sri Lankan Tamils would increase,” she added.Demonstration
In a separate statement she said the Madurai City unit of the Jayalalithaa Peravai would hold demonstrations to protest against the power crisis.
“There are around 6 thousand small scale industries in Jaihindpuram, Puthoor, Anuppanadi, Chellu and Krishnapuram. These industries and textile units are facing a threat of closure because of power crisis,” she said.(News-The Hindu)
“It is a genuine apprehension and I share it,” she said in a statement.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said petrol and other things were being smuggled to the LTTE from Tamil Nadu regularly and the relief materials would also eventually reach them.
“The funds and relief materials will never go the Tamils. People fear that the problems of the Sri Lankan Tamils would increase,” she added.Demonstration
In a separate statement she said the Madurai City unit of the Jayalalithaa Peravai would hold demonstrations to protest against the power crisis.
“There are around 6 thousand small scale industries in Jaihindpuram, Puthoor, Anuppanadi, Chellu and Krishnapuram. These industries and textile units are facing a threat of closure because of power crisis,” she said.(News-The Hindu)
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