Public Security Minister Tiran Alles says that the firearms have been issued to policemen not to fondle them, but to use them as and when necessary.

Addressing a workshop held at Ratnapura on Saturday as a part of Community Police awareness programmes, Minister Alles said that he would ensure an end to underworld activities during his tenure as the Minister of Public Security. “I have repeatedly warned underworld characters to stop their illegal activities. If they do not heed my warning, they will be hunted down. I have instructed the STF commandos to use everything in their power to eradicate this menace.  I have also told them in no uncertain terms that they must do their job or leave their uniforms,” the Minister said.

He said that soon after he had assumed duties as the Minister of Public Security, he had met with all DIGs and told them that stringent action had to be taken against drug dealers. “There are three types of persons involved in narcotic related offences.

There are large scale dealers who smuggle in drugs. The Navy and police intelligence services have been tasked with taking care of them, and to dismantle their networks. Then there are drug addicts. The third group consists of those who run the narcotics distribution networks. Operation Yukthiya is aimed at dealing with the third group,” the Minister said, calling on the public to cooperate with the police by supplying whatever information that they have about drug businessmen and their operations.