President dedicated to curb crimes - Malwatte Mahanayake Thera

by L.B. Wijayasiri in Kandy

"The country's new leadership has committed to curb crimes in the country so that a remarkable progress can be seen in that direction," said Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Mahavihara Chapter.

The prelate made these observations when a deputation from the Sri Lanka Police Inspectors' Association called on him at the Malwatta Mahaviharaya, Kandy recently.

The Association's representatives also called on Most Ven. Udugama Sri Ratanapala Buddharakkhitha Mahanayake Thera of the Asigiriya Chapter too after they visited Dalada Maligawa and performed poojas to the Sacred Tooth Relic.

The Malwatta Mahanayake Thera added that the leaders of the past were talking louder that crimes and corruption were being taken place at an alarming rate, but they did not take effective steps to remedy the situation.

The new leadership of the country had gone into action to curb crimes and corruptions, without limiting to mere talking.

"When the leader is not straight, he could not accept the followers to be straight. When the leader is honest, straight and examplary, others too will be having the same qualities. "If the rulers were giving the necessary leadership and guidance to the police to curb crimes, then the people could accept the police to fulfill that task successfully."

Of late, the discipline in the police and security services had been deteriorated. There was no political interference into the activities of the public servants and the police sometime earlier. Political interference came into being during the recent past, he added.

Most Ven. Sumangala Mahanayake Thera added that there was a very good suggestion to establish a police hospital in the new buildings put up for the purpose at the Police Training School, Kundasale. But some higher officials of the department are learnt to be trying to make it a holiday resort for police officers.

He has requested the President to look into this matter.

Most Ven. Udugama Ratanapala Sri Buddharakkhitha Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter said that the police could be of greater service to the country and the people only if the higher officers obtained the assistance and support of lower ranks of the service.

"It is not proper to suppress lower ranking officers by higher officials. Maha Sangha is not happy over some activities and behaviour of some police officers," the prelate said.

It had been made known that some police officers had connections with the drug barons. Such unbecoming behaviour of police personnel would only degrade the service.

Association President Dale Gunaratne said that the membership of the Association was 6,000. It is these officers and of lower ranks make raids and detections to curb crimes to maintain law and order. But the higher ranking officers get the credit and they are getting commendations from politicians.

"The Officers of Inspectorate and of lower ranks have to undergo untold hardships in service and it is very difficult to get promotions," he said.

The delegation comprised Lanka Police Inspector's Association President Dale Gunaratne, Secretary Prasanna Silva, Vice President O.M.D. Gemunu, Treasurer M.S.M. Farouk and OIC Galagedara Police Roshan Amarasinghe.