Wednesday, 24 December 2014 00:00
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As expected, presidential elections have provided added exposure to the deep and sorry politicisation of Sri Lanka’s police force.
On 17 December the election stage and some decorations of common candidate Maithripala Sirisena were set on fire by a group of individuals, who had arrived in two Defenders, in the Wanduramba area in Galle.
Three supporters of Deputy Minister Nishantha Muthuhettigama were later arrested over the incident and remanded until 29 December. But not before Muthuhettigama allegedly attempted to forcefully remove them from custody, according to reports. The suspects Janaka Duminda, K.G. Janaka Kumara and S.A. Dimuthu Pradeep were produced before Baddegama Magistrate Courts but Muthuhettigama did not have any charges filed against him.
Frustrated by the inability to do his duty the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Wanduramba area hung up his badge after 18 years of service. This sorry situation borders on the disgusting. Inspector Panangala Liyanage Keerthisinghe resigned from his position on Monday, sending a signal to all that something is wrong with Sri Lanka’s beleaguered public service. Speaking to reporters at his residence in Wanduramba, the Inspector of Police stated that a situation has risen today where a police officer can no longer work with their spine straight and that therefore he took off his uniform and came home. Keerthisinghe insisted he resigned from the service thinking about the respect of the police department. When asked about the reason for his sudden decision, the OIC stated that what happened to him was similar to “being told to file a case against the knife used by a thief to steal a bunch of bananas.”
There is no doubt many police officers face the same challenges as Keerthisinghe but have chosen to remain silent as they believe no good can come from protest. In this instance they have been denied justice worse than even a criminal, for a wrongdoer at least has the chance to defend themselves. Where can wronged public servants turn? Who will fight for their justice?
The Elections Commissioner has been called out innumerable times to protect police officers so that they can carry out their duties with integrity, especially during the time of polls as crucial as these. It can only be hoped that other organisations, including but not limited to, election monitors and the Sri Lanka Bar Association hear of this brave deed and assist the person in question.
Keerthisinghe’s resignation should be a rallying cry to the public sector, which has been progressively undermined for many years, to fight for their independence. State employees once had a great reputation in this country but politics, of all hues and colours, have tarnished and systematically eroded the service. So much so that now it is just a mouthpiece for corrupt politicians.
The Government, which in recent days has sought to reassure the public with promises of good governance and even Constitutional change as well as the Opposition, who have founded their campaign on the same goals, need to be pushed to deliver on these promises no matter who carries the day on 8 January.
Keerthisinghe though is unlikely to get much satisfaction from his ideals than to know he has ably lived up to his name.
