Thalatha speaks up for 4000 unfit police officers facing the axe

• Says policemen concerned must be allowed to serve out their remaining time in the Police 
• Calls on Govt. to provide suitable postings of officers in ill health
• Raises concerns on the politicisation of the Police and says it is not the private property of politicians

MP Thalatha Atukorale

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Thalatha Atukorale has questioned the decision made by the Government to dismiss 4000 police officers who are not in good health. “Is the Government attempting to take away their right to work after they have served the Police force for a considerable period of time?” she asked. 

The issue surrounding the policemen arose during the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security held this week when IGP C.D. Wickramaratne commented that around 4000 policemen are unfit for duties due to ill health. Accordingly, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alas directed the IGP to prepare the necessary documents in order to remove these Police officers from the force. 

Speaking at a press conference held yesterday at the Opposition leader’s office, Atukorale questioned if the Police exist to solely serve the politicians of the country. “It must be noted that the Police are currently in a bad state. The manner of carrying out their duties is also concerning,” she said. 

Atukorale pointed out that at least 6000 officers today have been assigned to protect VIPs. “For example, the former President who is responsible for all the current chaos has been provided with 226 Police officers for security in addition to officers from the Army and the Special Task Force. On the other hand, the IGP is claiming 4000 are ill and another 16 000 are set to retire by the end of this year,” she noted. 

The MP suggested the 4000 officers in ill health should be allowed to serve out their remaining years in the Police. “Did they join the police while ill or did they fall ill after joining the police due to the strenuous duties? This is unclear. Therefore, they must be allowed to continue and be assigned to suitable postings,” she said. 

The SJB MP noted the Police is not the private property of politicians to make decisions on behalf of the service according to their whims and fancies.