|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 28 September 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Security | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Plan to prevent ex-Forces men joining underworld by Rajmi Manatunga The Advisory Committee on Crime will soon formulate a national policy to prevent Army deserters and those resigning from the Armed Forces joining underworld gangs, in a bid to combat the mounting crime rate. Acting Defence Minister Ratnasiri Wickremenayake told the media yesterday that the Committee which met yesterday recommended the drawing up of a long term plan to provide skills training to members of the armed forces thus facilitating their entry to a lawful occupation after service. "There are allegations that a large number of persons who left the forces have become members of underworld gangs thus causing a sharp increase in the crime rate. Often they are compelled do this because they lack expertise in another field of work. The proposed policy will address this issue," he said. Meanwhile, police stations islandwide will be upgraded with essential facilities and modern technology to combat the mounting crime rate and increase co-ordination between the public and the police. Minister Wickremenayake said that the recently-set up Advisory Committee on Crime has recommended that swift measures should be taken to improve physical resources available to the police and introduce modern technology to police stations. Accordingly, every police station will be provided with modern communication equipment facilitating better co-ordination with the people while data collection will be computerised. The project to be initiated by the end of the year will also address the shortage of personnel and vehicles in police stations. He further stated that attention has been drawn to introduce modern technology to the police for investigations and interrogation of suspects. "The present modes of interrogation used by police have often been criticised for violating human rights. Therefore, we need to switch on to modern technology in the long run". Minister Wickremenayake said they will seek the assistance of foreign organisations to fund the project since the Government is unable to shoulder the entire cost. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
