New IGP extends olive branch to public

Rafik Jalaldeen

Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya yesterday promised the public justice and fairness. “Police and public relations will be strengthened and mutual understanding will be fostered to avoid misunderstanding about the police,” he said.

The Public Assistance Centre (PAC) was opened by IGP Balasuriya at the Police Headquarters yesterday. The PAC was formed to discuss problems faced by the public and find solutions for their grievances, the Police chief said.

IGP Balasuriya said the PAC which is under his direction, will be supervised by senior Police officers.

“This centre will function from next Friday to find solutions to public grievances,” he said.

“The PAC will function round the clock. Ten Police personnel including a Chief Inspector, a Sub Inspector, two Police Sergeants, four Police Constables and two Women Police Constables will be in-charge of the centre,” he added.

The public from all over the country can seek assistance to their grievances from the Police at the PAC. “People can call or fax the PAC detailing their problems or they can come directly to the PAC and get assistance to their problems which had not been solved by officials at the nearest Police Station.

People living in the North and the East can also come to this centre and forward their problems,” he said.

The IGP reiterated that his main intention is to ensure a satisfactory service to the public from the Police Department. “People are not happy with the Police service due to a few bad eggs. We are bound to serve the public and assist them as much as we can to meet the grievances,” he added.

He noted that this is not a centre to entertain complaints against Police.

“People must forward their problems which could not be solved by the Police. If they face injustice at any Police Station, the PAC will find a solution to those problems,” he said adding that the aim of establishing the PAC is to ensure that all are treated equally with justice and fairness.

IGP Balasuriya observed that forming the PAC was not his personal idea but was formed in collaboration with senior Police officials jointly laying a five-year program to assist the public.

The Public Assistance Centre will be open daily. The public and the IGP meeting will be held from 11.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. every Friday. “Initially the meeting was to be held from 11.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Since Muslims are attending Friday prayers, the time was extended to another hour. Therefore, it would help Muslims to participate in the meeting to discuss their grievances directly with me,” the IGP said.

International Affairs, Human Resources and DIG Police Headquarters Ashoka Wijethilaka said the Public Assistance Centre will strengthen the relationship between Police and public, as well as develop a mutual understanding between the two parties.

Media Centre for National Security Director General Lakshman Hulugalla said President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s prime concern was to identify people’s problem from grassroots level and find solutions for them. This has helped significantly to overcome many issues faced by the public.