News
Some SDIGs revolt against controversial transfers
Ministry directive ‘malicious, arbitrary and unreasonable’
Two of the seven Senior DIGs suddenly transferred by police headquarters have refused to abide by the directive, demanding the immediate intervention of the National Police Commission (NPC).
Retired IGP Chandra Fernando heads the NPC.
The senior officers transferred with effect from 25 April, included Lalith Pathinayake, Ajith Rohana, S.C. Medawatte and W.K. Jayalath on what police headquarters called, service requirements.
Senior DIG of the Southern Province Ajith Rohana, who has been transferred to the Eastern Province, has informed Public Security Ministry Secretary Viyani Gunatilleke that he will not abide by the recent transfer order. He has said that the Ministry has no authority to issue such directives as in terms of the Constitution it was the responsibility of the NPC.
The former Police Spokesman has, in support of his argument, quoted Section 56 of the Police Ordinance and the verdict delivered in the State’s case against Wijesuriya, in 1974.
In a separate letter, addressed to the NPC Chairman, Senior DIG Rohana has accused Public Security Minister Tiran Alles of having an ulterior motive behind such a ‘malicious, arbitrary and unreasonable’ decision.
“The Minister does all these malicious acts to harass us and to protect one SDIG”, SDIG Ajith Rohana alleged.
According to senior DIG Rohana the transfer orders were issued following a conference Minister Alles had with Senior DIGs, on April 18, when Minister Alles reprimanded him over a letter he prepared on the instructions of the IGP. Subsequently, Minister Alles had summoned the Senior DIG, to his office, and expressed dissatisfaction over the law and order situation in the South. Senor DIG Rohana has requested the NPC to examine and compare the situation in the Western and Southern Provinces to ascertain the truth.
Meanwhile, Senior DIG Priyantha Weerasooriya also wrote to the Chairman of the National Police Commission, Chandra Fernando, requesting action against the ‘malicious, unreasonable and unjustifiable’ transfer.
In his letter, the SDIG explained that he had been transferred, with no proper reasoning and claimed that such ad-hoc transfers had occurred on several prior occasions, thereby creating frustration amongst the victimised officers.
“This practice will badly affect the image of a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police, and solemnity of office of this rank, and also undervalued among the subordinate as well”, SDIG Weerasooriya said.
Thus, he called on the Police Commission to look into the matter and take the required action to disapprove of such transfer orders, issued by the Ministry (SF)
The Department of Education has announced that the results of the 2024 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examination have been released online, and can be viewed on : www.doenets.lk
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the training of teachers required for the new education reforms will commence in May, and that contracts granted to political cronies in local government institutions will be brought to an end following the upcoming local government elections.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in the areas of Mirigama, Minuwangoda, and Katana in the Gampaha District.
Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister stated:
“From birth to death, all the aspects of life of a person are handled by local government institutions. However, to this day, these institutions lack proper systems even to provide the people with basic facilities.
We are committed to working with a proper system, free of fraud and corruption, and managing every rupee carefully and attentively. We are identifying the needs of people and implementing projects under a systematic plan to develop rural sectors.
You elect fellow members who stand firmly against fraud and corruption through two decisive elections. First, you elect Anura Kumara as President, a leader committed to fighting corruption. Then, in the parliamentary election, you choose a group of qualified individuals who are equally dedicated to this cause to represent you in Parliament.
To ensure that the funds allocated for rural development reach the people, the local government institutions which are the closest to the villagers must also be clean and transparent. That is why this election is so important to us.
The people and the villages come to experience our corruption-free political culture through local government institutions. These institutions must properly implement, monitor, and evaluate the development projects allocated to the rural sector. The era of awarding contracts for such projects to political cronies must end.
Although early childhood development is a crucial part of education, there has never been a proper system for it. We are now establishing such a system. Starting in May, teacher training for the modern education which is being introduced will begin. We have a comprehensive plan for development across all sectors.
The Ministry of Education has received billions worth of projects, but there is no proper implementation process. For example, 1,500 smart boards were brought for smart classrooms, but the Secretary to the Ministry has not implemented a system to distribute them to schools. Teachers have not been trained to use them. Teacher training institutes still follow outdated curriculum. This will be corrected through the new education reforms,
In order to deliver all these benefits to the rural sector efficiently, it is essential to elect the right people for the right purposes. Therefore, in the upcoming local government elections, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya urged the public to vote for the candidates who are free from fraud and corruption presented by the National People’s Power (NPP).”
The event was attended by Parliament Chief Organizer of the ruling party Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, Members of Parliament Ruwanthilaka Jayakody and Chaminda Lalith Kumara, along with several local government candidates and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will represent Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican City, the Ministry said.
The funeral is scheduled for today.
About 50,000 people came to pay their respects to the late Pope on Thursday, the Vatican news service said.
“Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the late Pope’s soul,” according to the Vatican news service.
“The Novemdiales Masses will be held each day at 5:00 PM (GMT +2) in St. Peter’s Basilica, except for the Mass on Divine Mercy on Sunday, April 27, which will take place at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square.”
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