News
Claims of political victimisation in Police Dept. raise eyebrows
By Saman Indrajith
Senior and junior ranks in the Police Department have expressed their dismay at 84 colleagues for attempting to obtain promotions and salary increments citing as reasons political victimisation under the previous government.
A senior police officer said: “The list contains names of 84 officers and men. Among them are six retired officers, including one Senior DIG, who had been interdicted for his alleged involvement in a murder case. There are many who had been interdicted on disciplinary grounds.
They are now trying to get promotions citing political victimization. It is unfair by those who have had exemplary records in conduct and service. This has demoralized many officers and men in the department.”
“Among those on the list is a senior officer punished for dereliction of duty. Under his watch a bottle of water was smuggled into the closed protective circle of the then President Maithripala Sirisena..”
Another officer said that there were two SIDGs, five DIGs, 11 SSPs, four SPs, eight ASPs, 27 CIs, five IPs, five SIs, six sergeants, four constables, one police driver, one WPC and one WSI on the list.
“They went before a committee appointed soon after the incumbent government came to power and said they had been politically victimized. They are trying to get promotions. One month ago they tried to get the list processed and submitted to the Cabinet, but the Public Security Ministry officials suspended it stating that they needed to study it. It is now said that the list is going to be presented to the Cabinet meeting this week.”
A spokesman for the Public Security Ministry said that Minister Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera had got a team of ministry officials to study the list and they had found that there were some officers who had obtained promotions, transfers and salary increments during the Yahapalana government citing political victimisation under the previous administration. “It is a serious issue if the same officer is victimised politically by two different governments. This has been brought to the notice of the President, who has instructed the minister not to submit the list to the Cabinet meeting.”
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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