Public Security Minister vows to keep out political interference in police work

Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera yesterday vowed that he would not let the police service to be politicised on his watch.

Addressing 105 newly appointed officers in charge of police stations, during a programme held at the Ministry in Battaramulla, the Minister said: “Policemen must not do political work. They should not do anything illegal just because they are ordered to do so by politicians. You have to work for the benefit of the people.”

Minister Weerasekera told the OICs not to take orders from politicians. “An OIC must keep in his mind the needs and welfare of the people of his division. That should be the first priority when you discharge your duties. Do not be afraid of repercussions if you work properly to the letter and for the benefit of the people in good faith. If something goes wrong I myself, my Secretary Maj. Gen. Jagath Alwis and the IGP Chandana Wickremaratne will stand by you. We’ll protect you if you do the right thing.”

Minister Weerasekera said the police department was very different from other public sector institutions. “It is a department that lost the lives of around 3,500 policemen fighting against the LTTE; about 15,000 of its personnel got infected by the COVID-19 while on duty. Of them around 55 died. Around 230 policemen died on the roads while performing traffic duties. This is a department in which personnel discharge their duties putting their lives in danger while fighting against underworld members, organised criminals and robbers. So the police department should not be equated to other departments in the public service,” the Minister said.