‘No respite for criminal elements’

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Police Spokesman SP Prishantha Jayakody said that lifting the state of Emergency by no means is a signal for criminal elements to go on the rampage.

SP Jayakody also stated that it was a victory for the public that the government decided to lift the state of Emergency, since it is a clear indication that the country is returning to normalcy in all aspects with the liberation of the country from 30 years of terrorism. “They will be dealt with severely under the existing law and all law abiding citizens will get due protection under the law,” he said.

He also said that the state of Emergency was needed due to the situation created by terrorism in the country and the Police did not feel the need for the state of Emergency to maintain law and order in the country.

SP Jayakody said that Police are vested with ample powers, as peace officers, to investigate into crimes and bring the culprits to book. “It is only criminals who get involved in murder, rape, robbery, burglary, drug trafficking and such activities, but these are elements who get together in small groups compared to the terrorist organization that gripped the entire country,” SP Jayakody said.