Police to provide STF guards for high profile prisoners

In an attempt to curb the recent surge in organised crime, the Police yesterday announced an island-wide crackdown on arms proliferation, along with moves to provide special task force (STF) security to high profile prisoners, and surveillance of ex-convicts and released suspects. 

Refuting claims that the security situation of the country has been compromised, Police yesterday insisted that law and order has been maintained throughout. 

In an apparent response to the recent comments made by Prison Reforms Minister D. M. Swaminathan on criticism levelled against the Prison officials, DIG Ajith Rohana insisted that there was “no point in blaming each other,” but work together to address the issue. 

“We accept that there was a lapse in our part as well. There is an inquiry going on regarding the matter. However, the Police should not be the only one blamed. Prison officials are responsible for the situation too. When the Police division informed them that they were unable to provide adequate security, they should have escalated the problem,” DIG Rohana said speaking at a special media briefing on the current situation.

Blaming the recent escalation in violence on the heightened proliferation of small arms in the country, the Police has launched a new operation to crackdown on illegal weapons and firearms circulating among different organised criminal groups in the country. 

“We are a post war country, and any such country faces issues with illegal arms and weapons. However, we have been successful in controlling it. We see the reason for the surge in organised crime is also due to this. So we are launching an operation to curb this issue. Such operations in the past have been successful; although some, for different reasons, have not gained desired results. The new campaign is going to focus on curbing the issue,” DIG Rohana said. Two dedicated hotlines for the public to give anonymous information on illegal weapons have been set up by the Police. The Department also plans to announce rewards for accurate information given. An amnesty announced last year to surrender illegal firearms, however, failed to deliver desired results, DIG Rohana admitted. 

The Police is also beefing up their surveillance system to monitor activity of ex-convicts and suspects on bail to curb the current clashes between criminal gangs. 

“We have noticed that the recent criminal activity was organised by those released from prison or those who have been out on bail. So we are planning on increasing our surveillance,” Police spokesperson DIG Priyantha Jayakody said. 

DIG Jayakody also said that there would be a crackdown in the prison system to curb illegal activities within the prisons as well. 

“We admit there is still usage of mobile phones and exchange of messages within the prisons themselves. The Police will work with Prison and Court Authorities to mitigate this,” he said. 

The Police has also commenced a review of the Prevention of Crimes Ordnance which needs updating to enable law enforcement authorities to carry out better surveillance and record keeping of criminals. According to DIG Rohana, there are 47,000 registered criminals in the country, but the correct number is not known due to legal limitations.