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| Monday, 2 September 2002 |
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by Sarath Malalasekera preventing crime is a million times better than investigating it and arresting suspects. 'This should be the Motto of the new Colombo Crime Division (CCD),' said Interior Minister John Amaratunga ceremonially opening the new Colombo Crime Division housed at 214, Kolonnawa Road, Dematagoda in the presence of distinguished invitees. The Colombo Crime Division, formally known as the Colombo Detective Bureau (CDB) which was closed by the previous regime was re-opened in order to curtail the increasing number of crimes in the Colombo District. Minister Amaratunga, Acting IGP T. E. Anandarajah and Colombo DIG Bodhi Liyanage hoisted the three flags, National, Police and the CCD, while the Maha Sangha chanting seth pirith. Colombo Mayor Prasanna Gunawardena unveil the name board of the CCD on the invitation of Minister Amaratunga. The anusasana was conducted by Ven. Maligawatte Kapuduwa Nandasiri Nayake Thera. Minister Amaratunga inspected the guard of honour presented by the Police personnel attached to the Colombo Division headed by SP Gamini Seneviratne, Director of the new CCD. The Minister with other invitees including UNP MP Lilantha Perera, Colombo Mayor Prasanna Gunawardena, Ministry Secretary M. N. Junaid, Advisor to the Interior Ministry former Senior DIG A. S. Seneviratne, Senior DIG H. M. G. B. Kotakadeniya, DIGs Gamini Randeni, Victor Perera, Daya Jayasundera inspected the new CCD building. The Minister said that he is making arrangements to set up similar Crime Divisions in other parts of the country as early as possible to control the crime rate. 'The prime duty of the new unit is to prevent crimes,' the Interior Minister added. "The Police Department has efficient officers to face any situation in the country. All citizens in the country are equial before the law of the land. No one is above the law, he said. The new CCD unit must always try to protect the public and their properties and leave no room for the public to crticise it, the Minister said. Minister Amaratunga appealed to the public to report any incidents of crime or any other forms of illegal activities to the CCD over the telephone 685151. "The Minister emphasised that the Police Commission will be named around next week to afford maximum benefits to the innocent citizens of the country. Whatever obstructions come in our way the Ranil Wickremesinghe Government will always work for the benefit of the people and safeguard the independence of the country. The people elect their representatives not for them to resort to bribery and corruption but to discharge their duties with responsibility. The United National Front which came to power pledging to eradicate irregularities and corruption has a duty by the people to divulge such anomalies. When I try to fulfil this obligation, the former rulers are bringing in no confidence motions against me. But that no confidence motion was defeated with a large majority," said the Minister. Colombo Mayor Prasanna Gunawardena said that he never interfere with any Police matters. The Police should work independenly. 'If any person comes to a police station and mention my name, please take them into custody,' Mayor Gunawardena said. Colombo DIG Bodhi Liyanage said that the new Colombo Crime Division will help control the incresing rates of crimes in the Colombo Division. 'We have shophisticated equiment to trace the most wanted criminals. We also have all the data and profiles of various criminals, the DIG said. He paid a tribute to the Government and Interior Minister John Amaratunge for assisting the Police to set-up the new Colombo Crime Division. Senior SPs Lucky Dissanayake, Deepal Herath, SPs M. N. Dayananda, Ananda Lewangama and Colombo Crime Division ASP J. R. Jayawardena were also present. |
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