‘Police responsibilities increased after war’

Ridma Dissanayake and Nimal Jayasingha (Gampaha Roving)

The number of challenges and responsibilities of the police have increased with the eradication of terrorism which prevailed in the country over the past three decades. Therefore, all police personnel should carry out their duties in a respective manner, Defence and Urban Development Ministry Additional Secretary Damayanthi Jayarathne said.

Jayarathne was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the second Siyapath Vila programme held at the Baranayake College, Gampaha on Saturday.

“The Police service is a respectable service and the Sri Lankan Police service has a long and proud history. A distance has been noted between the Forces personnel and the public after the conclusion of the humanitarian operation. In a such situation, the responsibility to maintain law and peace in society is with the Police,” she added.

The Siyapath Vila programme is designed according to a concept of Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and under the directions of I G P N K Illangakoon with the aim of creating a more respective and creative Police service.

Arrangements have been made to hold this programme islandwide.

“Now that the war has ended, the Police have to pay attention on the normal duty routine. They should understand the challenges before them and provide a public-friendly service. They have done it successfully while solving crimes,” Jayarathne said.

Western Province Senior DIG Anura Senanayake, Gampaha District DIG Sarath Kumara, Registration of Persons Department Director General Jagath Wijeweera, Presidential Coordinating Secretary K P P Pathirana and a large number of Police personnel in the Gamapaha district participated in this programme.