Role of Police in war against LTTE terrorism

Edward GUNAWARDENA

Media has fallen short of giving coverage to the plethora of valuable observations of public interest made by IGP Jayantha Wickramaratne when he was interviewed by Sudarman Radaliyagoda on ITNs Tulawa program on May 28.

Any person listening to this interview would have justifiably felt proud of the Sri Lanka Police Service. It was particularly refreshing and heartening to the thousands of policemen serving in numerous capacities in the entire island and in equal measure to the thousands of retired police officers who steadfastly remain loyal to this dignified organisation that they were privileged to be members at different levels of its hierarchy.

The IGP deserves the unreserved congratulations and thanks of all of them for so succinctly, articulately and convincingly informing and educating the nation on the silent, sensational headline free, but paramountly vital and decisive role played by the police in Sri Lanka's emphatic victory over LTTE terrorism.

What interested the majority of people where the glorious victories won by the Army, Navy and the Air Force. Many were indeed ignorant or uncertain of the part the police had played.

Deservedly, approaching the climax of the military campaign that resulted in the extermination of the LTTE leadership, it was the military victorious that provided heart warming news for the nation. Victorious battles were graphically portrayed by the media. Brigadiers and Colonels visibly in the forefront of operations came to be glorified.

Even the all important naval blockade of Mullaitivu made small headlines.

The Air Force that had cleared the way for troop advances but toned down its operations in the interest of civilian safety appeared to be altogether forgotten.

In this scenario the police detection of a suicide bomber at a check point, the location of a vital LTTE safe house or the finding of a claymore bomb on information by a member of the public would have been worthy only an inch or two in the inner pages.

Within the limited time of a television interview, by elaborating only on a few areas that came within the purview of the police particularly the road blocks and check points, the search and destroy operations of the STF, the success of enlisting public co-operation and the collection and analysis of intelligence resulting even in journalists in the payroll of the LTTE coming to light, the IGP convincingly highlighted the role that the police played.

Without undue emphasis and without labouring on the point he made the viewers understand that it was the police that maintained the peace and helped keep the homefires burning in the battle free South for the Armed Forces to freely concentrate on the North and the East.

He did not claim the credit for keeping the South relatively calm. Instead, straight from his heart he paid a glowing tribute to the public for the latter's splendid co-operation.

Given more time and with a little more informed prodding by the interviewer the IGP would perhaps have elaborated on many more of the responsibilities that fell on the police in the war against terrorism; all of which had to be accomplished whilst performing normal police functions such as the prevention and detection of crime, the maintenance of public order and the regulation of motor traffic. Law enforcement remained the uppermost police priority. In needs to be appreciated that unlike the armed services the police have to perform their duties in the full gaze of the public. Police are answerable to the public as well as the judiciary. Inquiries into public complains are replying critics takes much of the time of senior officers.

It is a fact that even routine actions the Police have been compelled to take in the interests of public safety particularly in the backdrop of terrorist activity have often met with scorn, disapproval and resentment. How many readily lend themselves to body searches? And how many curse the police for delays caused at check points? Everybody expects the police to show results. But how many realise that police have to achieve their goals deftly keeping clear of FR and HR violations?

It is indeed remarkable, a fact that our Western critics should take note of, that with so many LTTE suspects arrested and interrogated by the police over the years not a single case of torture has come to light. Perhaps our policemen have not even heard of water boarding and sleep deprivation, methods that the CIA uses to extract confessions and information from terrorist suspects in custody.

In conclusion, it needs to be said that the IGP by soberly elaborating on the role of the police and displaying an admirable degree of magnanimity left most viewers convinced that it was a well co-ordinated joint effort in which the public too played a significant part that resulted in the annihilation of the LTTE. Everybody, be it a soldier, sailor, airman, policeman, homeguard or responsible citizen played his or her part with acceptance; and each one of them deserves a whiff of the sweet smell of this great victory.

Though not spelt out in so many words this appeared to be the noble message inherent in IGP Jayantha Wickramaratna's discourse that night.