by Sarath Malalasekera

Police have drawn up plans to make Colombo a crime free city soon, said Colombo DIG Bodhi Liyanage when he opened a new Police Post at Sea Street junction, Pettah, Colombo recently.

DIG Liyanage said the Police have already set up several new armed units to combat crime in the city. The new Police post was set up as part of this plan in response to a request made by the Sri Lanka Jewellers Association, through Chief Inspector, Ananda S. Liyanapathirana, OIC, Pettah.

DIG Liyanage said the Jewellers in Sea Street were among the important tax payers who help bolster to increase the country's coffers. It was the duty of the Police to safeguard the tax payers as well as other citizens from criminals, robbers and people engaged in various other vices.

Earlier, Members of the Jewellery Association garlanded Colombo DIG Liyanage and escorted him to the Sea Street Kovil for a religious ceremony before he declared open the new Police post.

The Colombo DIG appealed to the members of the Jewellery Association to refrain from purchasing any stolen gold or jewellery items. He said that if any person is suspected of bringing in stolen goods they should inform the new Police post so that Police could arrest them. In addition to the new Police post, an emergency vehilce will also be patrolling in the area round the clock.

In future we are planning to set up a permanent Police Station near the Sea Street junction for the safety of Jewellers and their businesses. If any problem is encountered by the jewellers as to their safety they could complain to the Police post immediately. The officers there would take prompt action to look into those complaints, the Colombo DIG said.

Sri Lanka Jewellery Association President K. Radhakrishnan paid a glowing tribute to Colombo DIG Bodhi Liyanage for responding to their request by promptly setting up the Police Unit.

Mr. Radhakrishnan said that when the members of the association met the Interior Minister John Amaratunga recently he offered all the necessary assistance towards redressing their grievances.

The new Police post will be a boon to jewellers in Sea Street as it would guard them against robbers, theft and threats from kappan gangs, he added.

Association' General Secretary S. Pulenthiran said that the public are of the view that the jewellers are enjoying a luxury life. But infact, the jewellers had to make many sacrifices in life.