News
Eran wants an IGP with unblemished record
By Saman Indrajith
SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne says that there has been a severe erosion of public confidence in police and that would further worsen if a corrupt officer with human rights charges against his name is appointed to the IGP post.
“People have no faith at all about the police and its investigations. There are two JMO reports on the mysterious death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter. Now we are told that there are two DNA reports on Sarah Jasmine who was involved in Easter Sunday terror attacks.
“The post of IGP should not be given to those who have been named as suspects or accused of criminal matters or respondents in fundamental rights applications for breaches such as illegal torture. We know that there are serious charges against police for torture and death in their custody and other human rights violations.
“We often hear how police nab underworld criminals and drug dealers. Thereafter we are told that they were taken out to find a hidden haul of weapons or contraband and the suspect tried to escape so the police had to shoot at him. There is a long list of names such as Kosgoda Tharaka, Ooru Juva, Makandure Madush, Tinker Lasantha, etc etc. We do not speak for the sake of drug dealers or underworld criminals. We demand only that extra judicial killings should be stopped. There is a judiciary and procedures. This way of eliminating the drug dealers prevent us finding the topmost operative of narcotic business. If the government wants to restore public faith on law and order, then it should operate within the law.
He said that the Bar Association wrote to the President on the need for the appointment of an officer with unblemished record to the IGP post. Thereafter a group of protesters were sent to protest opposite the Chamber of the Bar Association President. This is intimidation and threatening. We must stand against this,” Wickramaratne said.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
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