'Country needs strong Police Department'

M. T. M. Hanafi Malwana special correspondent

It is only if the Police Department is strengthened that the security of the country can be guaranteed and the underworld eradicated from this soil, said Senior DIG and Police Media Spokesperson Nimal Mediweka. It is unfair on the part of public to misjudge the whole Police Department just because of the misbehaviour of few Police officers, he said.

Speaking as chief guest at the distribution ceremony of clutches and wheel-chairs to disabled soldiers, at Sri Sudharshanarama Viharaya, in Siyambalape, Biyagama, on Saturday, he said most criminals escape from the law with public help.

The distribution ceremony of clutches and wheelchairs was organized by Meegahawaththa Police OIC IP Sreenika Sanjeewa Jayakody. DIG Mediweka said Police have started a program of maintaining harmonious relations with law abiding people. People must be made to understand that the Police are not their enemies.

The DIG added though the war has ended and LTTE leadership crushed, terrorism is not yet over. It may crop up again at any time anywhere in the country or outside the country. Hence it is essential for the public to be very vigilant and inform the Police as soon as possible if they witness any such moves, he said. In the past we have recovered 4,000 kg of C-4 bomb materials in Colombo and 48 LTTE group leaders have been arrested from Wellawatte, Kotahena and Modera masquerading as businessmen.

This was possible because of Civil Defence Committees' help. There are 15 Civil Defence Committees in the city of Colombo.

Civil Defence Committees have played a vital role and should continue this task for the benefit of all in the country.

As the war is now over, the country's economy has started to flourish. The arrival of tourists has doubled. Large number of foreign investors are hankering to start business in our country. If everyone work together patriotically, we can make our small island a paradise, he said.

Errant Police officers who violate the law will be severely dealt with and replaced with good Police officers, he noted.