Govt. toeing lawlessness and toying with the constitution -UNP

(June 12, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) UNP M.P. Lakshman Kiriella addressing the media at the UNP media unit today (12 Jun) , said the President and the Government pulled through after imposing all the burdens on the people, disregarded media and people’s freedom and descended to all kinds of lawless acts during the period of the ethnic war by explaining that these were necessary expedients in the time of a war .But, now what is there to hamper it from restoring people’s and media freedom and rights , act Democratically and relieve the masses of the ruthless burdens and hardships which it imposed on them blaming on the war ? , he asked.

The Govt.’s intents and purposes are very clear from the recent promotions granted to the high ranking Police Officers without appointing them through the Police Commission . The Govt. has deliberately delayed the appointing of the Police Commission and other Commissions under the 17th amendment to the Constitution in order to politicize the Public sector. If the Public service Commission , the Police Commission and other Commissions are in existence duly appointed under the Constitutional Councils in accordance with the 17th amendment , the Govt. cannot make these appointments via the Cabinet and politicize the sectors , he pinpointed .

Except the IGP , all other Police appointments , transfers etc. under the Constitution must be made by the Police Commission . As it is, with the Govt. postponing the appointment of the Constitutional Councils and the implementation of the 17th amendment , the Govt. has paved the way for the promotions not on merits , but according to its fancy to suit its political ends, he lamented.

It is no wonder that the Police department cannot act efficiently although many of the Officers there are efficient. It is the consensus that so many grave and serious crimes have yet not been solved. Because of political pressures on them , they are unable to act with efficiency and apprehend the culprits .They have to take orders from politicians; consequently , they are crippled in their investigations, he noted.

It is matter for deep regret , that the Govt. which promised to abide by the constitution and the laws of the country is , even after the end of the war reluctant to honor its undertakings . The crime wave in the country has hit a record high because the Govt. is itself not respecting the sacrosanct legal and democratic Institutions of the country , he concluded.

-Sri Lanka Guardian