Police do not exist to serve politicians - President Sirisena

By Maneshka Borham

The Sri Lanka Police should be solely and exclusively at the service of the people, President Maithripala Sirisena told guests at the 150th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Police Force at the Field Force Headquarters, Bambalapitiya yesterday.¨The Police does not exist to protect governments or to do the bidding of politicians" he stressed.

President Maithripala Sirisena pins a medal on IGP Pujith Jayasundera

The President said that while this was a common occurrence in the past, even in the present day some politicians attempt to use the Police for their personal gain.¨I have also noticed that some Police officers too try to maintain close relationships with politicians," he said adding the Police should always focus on its main aim, which is to solely serve the people of the country and therefore, they should not deviate from this.

He also reminded the force that as he believes the service of the police should go beyond laws and the constitution extending itself rather to a humanitarian service for the citizens of Sri Lanka.

The President expressed his personal gratitude starting from the most lower ranking officers who work tirelessly while facing many challenges in their workplace and life to higher ranking officers of the force.

¨I render my personal appreciation to the officers who spend hours on the road without proper food, drink or protection to make the country a safe place,¨ he said adding that officers not only have given their lives, many continue to face economical and personal issues while giving their utmost to the service.

While remembering the fallen and injured officers of the Police, the President said the government is happy about the 150 year long service rendered by the Police to the country.

IGP Pujith Jayasundara pledged to provide a people friendly police service while expanding the Civic Police concept in Sri Lanka across 14,262 grama seva divisions. According to the IGP the Police also have plans to increase the number of police stations from 450 to 600 adding 150 new police stations in various areas to better serve the public.

"Special programs have been formulated to combat issues relating to traffic and accidents as well as drugs" he said, adding that the Police will ensure these plans are carried out in a organized manner.

According to IGP Jayasundara the tasks of the Police have become challenging in the current day as the force has had to expand from its traditional roles into combating various other issues such as environmental pollution, dengue, illicit alcohol and drugs, protection of archaeological treasures, misuse of government property and crimes against women and children. IGP also said that training in Universities locally and internationally are being provided to officers to better serve the public in the future.

In his speech the IGP also accepted that welfare of the forces officers and their families is a responsibility that should be borne by the Sri Lanka Police.

Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan were also present.

The Sri Lanka Police was force was set up on September 3 1866 with 560 officers and 47 police stations. Currently the force comprises of 84,000 officers with 450 Police stations islandwide.