Police played prominent role to defeat terrorism - IGP
Sarath MALALASEKERA
The Police assisted the three Forces, Army, Navy and the Air Force,
to completely vanquish the LTTE after three decades, said Inspector
General of Police N K Illangakoon addressing the 145th Police Day
ceremony at the Bambalapitiya Police Grounds in the presence of Senior
DIGs, DIGs, Senior SPs, SPs, ASPs and other ranking officers.
Two minutes’ silence was observed by the participants as a mark of
respect to the Police personnel who had scarified their lives for the
motherland and who were disabled during the war.
IGP Illangakoon also said that the primary duty of all police
personnel is to protect the people and maintain law and order. The IGP
said that 2,588 Police personnel were killed during the war and 1,297
disabled personnel were receiving treatment at several hospitals.
The Police Department also has set-up a special day for the public to
make their complaints.
The Criminal Investigation Department officials who had performed an
excellent job had taken a number of hard-core criminals, who were
absconding, into custody and prosecuted them before courts, the IGP
said.
IGP Illangakoon and Mrs Illangakoon were received by Senior DIG
Gamini Navaratne and Senior DIG Asoka Wijetilleke.
The IGP took the salute with the Police Band in attendance and flags
of the 44 Police Divisions fluttering in the background.
Later, the IGP inspected the parade escorted by DIG Ravi
Wijegunawardena and accompanied by Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne and
Senior DIG Asoka Wijetilleke.
The proceedings were conducted by DIG Ravi Wijegunawardena. The
colourful parade was made up of officers of the 24 platoons including
the Special Task Force, Women Cadres, Permanent Police Force and Sri
Lanka Reserve Police (SLRP).
Security arrangements were by Field Force Headquarters Commander.
Retired IGPs including Ana Seneviratne, Frank de Silva, Indra de
Silva, Victor Perera, Jayantha Wickremaratne and Mahinda Balasuriya were
also present at the ceremony with their spouses. |
