Police has important role in post war Sri Lanka _ Prof Walegoda

Sandasen Marasinghe

The Police has an important role to play in establishing a better society without leaving room for local and foreign forces hostile to Sri Lanka to reverse the nation's victory, Professor Kamal Walegoda of the Colombo University said yesterday.

He made this observation at the Siyane Teacher Training School at Pitabeddara at the 27th Siyapath Vila programme initiated to create a public friendly, professional and dignified Police service under the direction of Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Professor Walegoda said the service rendered by Police is very significant after the elimination of terrorism under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa since the Police has to take over the role to establish law and order in the country. He said unpatriotic elements attempt to highlight even insignificant incidents where law and order is breached before the international community and attempt to damage the country's image to reverse the victories and the development in the country.

[Police promotions to be promptly addressed]

The issue of promotions of Police personnel will be addressed soon, Defence and Urban Development Ministry Senior Additional Secretary Madushanka Dissanayake said yesterday. He made this observation at the Siyane Teacher Training School at Pitabeddara at the 27th Siyapath Vila programme initiated to create a public - friendly, professional and dignified Police service. Dissanayake said the Defence and Urban Development Ministry is taking measures to solve Police officers' problems. He said the ministry took measures to increase salaries of Police personnel.

"However, they are faced with the problem of the procedure of promotions and it will be solved at the ministry level without delay," Dissanayake said.