Sri Lanka’s Inspector General (IGP) of Police C.D. Wickramaratne has transferred seven deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) pending approval of police commission. It is the National Police Commission which has authority to transfer senior police officers.
All of them have been transferred with immediate effect as ordered by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security. He does not have any authority to transfer police officers.
Lalith Pathinayake and Ajith Rohana who are competing for the post of Inspector General of Police (IGP) too and among the transferred DIGs. All of them have been transferred with immediate effect as ordered by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security. He does not have any authority to transfer police officers.
DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, who was recommended by the Supreme Court to take disciplinary action for Easter Sunday attacks, and DIG Deshabandu Thennakone, who has been accused in relation to Easter Sunday attacks and violence against peaceful protestors are the only SDIGs that have not been transferred.
Accordingly, Lalith Pathinayake was transferred as Senior DIG in charge of Central from Police Field Force Headquarters while Ajith Rohana was transferred as SDIG Eastern Province from SDIG in charge of Southern Province.
SDIG Ajith Rohana, who is in charge of the Southern Province, has informed in writing to Mr. Viani Gunathilaka, Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, that the transfer given to him is an illegal transfer and therefore he will not implement the illegal transfer.
DIG Rohana has also written to the National Police Commission stating that this transfer was done with the intervention of the Minister of Law and Order, Mr. Tiran Alas, with the aim of protecting a certain Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police.
SDIG Ajith Rohana further has further stated that there was a meeting of SDIGS at the Ministry of Public Security under the chairmanship of Minister Tiran Alas. and the Minister reprimanded him regarding a letter prepared by him on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police.
Likewise, the Senior DIG has further mentioned in his letter that after the meeting, he was called to the minister’s office and accused him of a letter circulating on social media regarding the position of the future IGP.
In a letter addressed to the Police Commission SDIG Priyantha Weerasuriya, who is in charge of the Central Province, stated that his transfer is illegal and unjust, and that he strongly opposes the transfer. Mr. Priyantha Weerasuriya has requested in that letter not to approve the transfer given to him.
( Letters attached below)
Crimes and Traffic Division Senior DIG L.K.W.K. Silva has been transferred to the Police Field Force Headquarters.
Also, Senior DIG in charge of Central Province, Priyantha Weerasuriya has been appointed as SDIG Crimes and Traffic from the Central Province while Sajeewa Medawata was transferred as SDIG Southern Province from the Sabaragamuwa Province.
Meanwhile, Senior DIG in charge of the Eastern Province Kithsiri Jayalath and Senior DIG Ranmal Kodithuwakku were also among the transferred senior officers.
With inputs form Daily Mirror, medialk.com ad thetime.lk.