No pressure from any quarter:

Police the guardians of law - IGP

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

Many believe that the two shocking incidents, the Angulana double murders and the abduction and assault on an IT students have lowered public confidence in the Police as guardians of the law. While assuring a complete by independent and impartial inquiry into the incidents with the offenders being brought to the book, IGP Jayantha Kumara Wickramaratne says no one can tarnish the good name of the dedicated officers of his department.In an interview with the ‘Sunday Observer’ he said that no politician can exert pressure on his investigations into the two incidents - Angulana double murder and the abduction and torturing of the IT student. “ Both President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Defence Secretary have given me clear instructions and the Police will hold a very impartial inquiry into these incidents”, he assured.

Following are the excerpts of the interview:

Q: The good image of the Police Department is fast deteriorating and it shows how the public went against the police. What do you have to say?

A: I don’t agree. It is not correct to say that the good image of the police is fast deteriorating. During the last one year under my supervision, no such incidents happened to tarnish the image of the Police. Only these two incidents took place and we have taken very prompt action against them. I took the necessary precautions promptly in respect of the Angulana murder case as it was a grave crime.

The other thing that needs to be considered was the public anger against the Police. Generally, the public does not react to the police if there is no fault on the part of the Police. We have realized the gravity of the public agitation with the way they went against the police by surrounding the police station.

When this was communicated to me I gave instructions within six hours to the DIG Prassana Nanayakkara and SSP Hemantha Adikari to arrest all the offenders, produce them before Courts and transfer those Police personnel immediately. The OIC and five Policemen were remanded and a new OIC and new Policemen were posted. We have interdicted the officers who were remanded. To ensure an impartial inquiry, I instructed the Criminal Investigation Department to conduct the investigations. As a result of this decision, CID Director Ravi Widyalankara and his team apprehended two more Policemen who are responsible for this murder. They have also traced the two locations where the killings took place and they are now questioning the people of the area.

Apart from conducting the investigation, under the Criminal Procedure Act, I have appointed Director In-charge of Special Investigations, Bernard Silva, who is directly functioning under me, to ensure impartiality of the investigations.

Action will be taken against all offenders under the Penal Code. Seven policemen have already been arrested.

In regard to the IT student’s case, it is alleged that he was abducted in front of the IT campus by a group of Policemen and it is also alleged that the SSP’s son had joined the abductors. What we first did was as soon as we received the complaint, we recorded the statement of the injured Nipuna Ramanayake who had been admitted to the General Hospital, Colombo. In his statement to the Police he mentioned the names of some of his batch mates. Then, we recorded their statements as supportive evidence to corroborate the version given by the first complainant Nipuna Ramanayake. There was a slight delay in tracing his three batch mates as they were living out of Colombo. We sent a team of Police officers to record their statements. We immediately recorded the statement of Ravindu Gunawardena who was reported to be suffering from severe fever. While being in custody he was admitted to the hospital. We arrested 11 Policemen who are alleged to be involved in this case. We also identified others, including a Sub Inspector, who had gone to arrest the student. They were produced before the Courts and remanded. Ravindu was reported to be ill and hospitalised so we produced the B report and magistrate ordered the suspect to be remanded till August 31.

Q: The CCD Chief, SSP Gunawardena is alleged to have tried to forcibly to get a statement from the student stating his involvement with the underworld. What action has been taken against him for mis-using his powers?

A: With regard to his involvement, according to available evidence, the CCD chief has admitted the ‘misdemeanours’ committed by his son and wife.

The same day he had met the parents of the victim at the CCD and apologised to them. He admitted that there had been a serious lapses.

His wife and son had used his powers in this incident. It is unlawful and we have taken necessary steps to take both into custody.

Q: But he too has acted against the law when he tried to take a statement forcibly. It is understood that he is still in service. Why has no action been taken against him?

A: No one is above the law and no one can take law into their hands including the Police officers. I deny that no action has been taken against him. Apart from dealing with the suspects according to the law we have taken strong disciplinary action against all those involved in these two cases. And I want to comment on this as this was the perception that had been reported in the media. Our investigations are going on. Until the guilt is proved, all suspects have the right to defend themselves. We have commenced our own investigations. As I wanted to conduct an impartial inquiry, SSP Gunawardena and six Policemen had already been transferred from CCD within two days after the incident.

The Police always maintains its independence and impartiality in these cases and we do not want to cover up anything to protect the offenders.

Q: It was reported that the explosives laden van detained by him was just a fabricated story for a cover up and this was refuted by DIG Nimal Lewke. What action has been taken against him for mis-leading and also creating a fear-pshycosis in the public?

A: This incident is totally a different issue and it has nothing to do with the case of the IT student. DIG Nimal Lewke has provided information without knowing the exact position. What happened was, SSP Gunawardena was informed by the military intelligence about explosives in Mannar and also the details on the suspicious vehicle that was set to transport explosives to Colombo. On the information received by him he has acted very correctly and promptly. As the CCD Director he had proceeded to Mannar and detected the explosives and the vehicle with the driver. They were all taken into custody in two different places and he never brought a vehicle fitted with explosives to Colombo. Some ignorant politicians say that the vehicle was brought to Colombo without explosives. I feel sorry for their ignorance and some people make comments without any sense.

We have recovered more than 3,900 kgs of explosives from different parts of the country before the war ended and later we also recovered 2,500 kgs of explosives. This week the Police recovered three containers of explosives from Puthukudiriyappu. If I do not mention about the excellent performances by SSP Gunawardena, it is not fair by the good work done by him to crush terrorism. Among several cases he had handled, one was the case where he brought the culprits to justice in the case relating to ransom demanding, abduction, murder of an eight-year-old child in Batticaloa. He detected several attempts at bomb explosions by the LTTE and nabbed several of them. He had made several detections of explosives, weapons including RPGs, mortars, missiles from Thoppigala and Batticaloa. SSP Gunawardena probed the robbery of Rs. 13 million from the Wellawatta Union Bank and brought the suspects before the law within two weeks. The inquiry in to the disappearance of a Bank manager was conducted under his direction and the investigators were able to arrest the suspect, who is an Army captain. He also handled vehicle rackets and raided 13 such vehicles.

The Police Department do not have much of capable officers like him, who are devoted and dedicated, to handle criminal investigations. Another aspect is that when there is an allegation against him, all forces that are against him will get together to make things worse for him. Criminals have various links and connections to manipulate things. They were not happy with him. He has acted not only against the criminals but also against serving army officers if ever they are suspected to have committed crimes. I know that several elements in society are also angry with Police officers. It is natural! As law enforcement officers, the Policemen have to face these challenges. It is part and parcel of the police life and we are prepared to face them. Not like other forces, the Police is dealing with the violators who are usually against us.

I have to be fair by my 73,800 people who have performed exceptionally during last year. That was the reason that the public openly praised us. I do not want to justify the two incidents but it is not fair to blame the entire Police Department and its good work after these incidents. One of the newspapers has written that the ‘Police is there to kill people, but not to protect them’.

This particular news paper is having the least knowledge about the action taken by the Police Department to protect the people of this country for so many years. When there were repeated bomb explosions and killings by unidentified groups who protected the people? It was the same Policemen who protected them. We managed to restore law and order in the country. What I have to say at this juncture is that the Police is prepared to face any criticism with substance but not those without basis!

Q: Are you trying to justify or to provide a cover up to the alleged human rights violation where an innocent student was treated inhumanly by the guardians of the law by praising the good work done by him?

A: No, I am not. I will not do that to hide alleged the violation. But as the Police Chief I have to appreciate the excellent performances by this officer. Lots of people who write about this case don’t know the good work done by him.

It is for their knowledge that I am making these remarks because our people have short memories. And I am not going to whitewash him or any one who has acted in this manner merely because his past record was good.

If he has committed any violation, I am prepared to deal with them. As there is nothing against him and the complaints were against his son and wife only, we have taken action first against them. The two suspects are now before the law and still the investigations are going on and if ever SSP Gunawardena’s involvement is proved, I will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against him.

Q: Don’t you think that the underlying reason is that most of those Policemen and women in the service are not fit enough to be Police officers?

A: No, I do not agree with it, because they are fit to be Police officers and not like other government servants, they were enlisted to the service after a proper investigation about their backgrounds. They also have a very good educational background. They are dedicated officers. But I agree that a handful of them, who are not qualified to be in the service, are tarnishing the image of the Policemen. At the same time because of this small lot it is not fair to judge the entire service with the same yardstick. The contribution made by the Police in this country has immensely contributed to maintain the law and order.

Q: Former DIG Kotakadeniya blamed the Police hierarchy for the mis-behaviour of the Policemen. What is you comment?

A: Yes, people can comment as they wish. I am prepared to face criticisms as well as to take action against any officer without considering his rank or status if the guilt is proved. But when there is proper supervision the chances of such behaviour is minimized.

For example, after the Akuressa bomb blast, I immediately transferred the ASP, SSP and the OIC because there were several lapses on their part. I have always taken deterrent action against those who have violated or neglected their duty. This is a common practice.

My people are very efficient and their work and dedication is similar to the work of any other Policemen in developed countries.

As I mentioned earlier they are efficient enough to arrest terrorists, hidden explosives and criminals including the underworld king pins, maintain law and order etc.

We have experts in criminal investigations and they are highly trained. Recovery of explosives, drugs and weapons can not be handled by ordinary Police officers, because it needs expertise. Therefore, we have these experts in the Department.

Several underworld criminals have been arrested. When there are over 70,000 officers in the Force, there can be 10 to 15 bad guys. Because of them one cannot put all the good officers into the same basket. They have done exceptionally well. I am really proud of my people.

Q: But there were several incidents where the Police officers maintained connections with the underworld goons and the LTTE as well. What action have been taken against them and how many such officers have been found guilty?

A: Yes, there were some officers who had these connections. On the other hand, this is a democratic country and any one can accuse and write against us.

We have take action against those who were found to have connections with the LTTE and underworld. They were subjected to disciplinary action. Out of 150 to 200 cases pending in Courts, the officers were convicted. That is why I request the public to complain to us against any Police officer and we could deal with such people.

Q: You are requesting the public to make complaints about the corrupt Policemen but are these complaints thoroughly investigated and what is the guarantee that the complainants are not subjected to harassment after lodging such complaints?

A: Yes, there is a very successful system where they can first report to the OIC of the area about such allegations against the lower rankers, then they can complain to the ASP and to make this system more efficient the government has given powers to the DIGs of each province to look into these complaints.

If they are not satisfied with the action taken at such levels they can complain to the Special Investigation Unit, which functions under my purview. When I receive such complaints I send teams of officers to the respective Provinces and conduct investigations.

They are taking prompt action. Apart from that, I have special authority to deploy police officers from Headquarters, if there are any lapses at the Provincial level. Then there is the Criminal Investigations Department, where they also can lodge their complaints.

We always maintain the secrecy of the complainants. I can give a guarantee that no harassment will take place after they make their complaints and if that happens the Police will take disciplinary action against those Police officers.

We are receiving lots of public complaints against police officers and we have dealt with them under the law.

Q: It is said that assaulting suspects has become a norm in Police investigations and what action has been taken against those who committed inhumane acts to get information from the suspects?

A: I don’t agree that this has become a norm in questioning suspects. I also don’t endorse this method in investigations. In Sri Lanka, there are hardcore criminals who are not prepared to divulge information and in some grave crimes the Police investigators have to resort to some action to obtain the information. But torture is prohibited and we will deal with torturers under the Torture Act.

Q: Are these Police officers made aware about human rights at the training school?

A: Yes, the subject of human rights is being taught at training schools and there is a separate division at the Police Head Quarters where they conduct special educational programs on human rights.

Q: What action will be taken to avoid these unfortunate incidents happening in future and also to prevent the Policemen taking the law into their hands?

A: I have taken several steps with regard to this. The DIGs in the respective Provinces have been given the responsibility to maintain discipline and to take action against policemen who violate this.

All the Policemen are being educated about the present trend and their responsibility to keep the image of the department clean and also to be fair by the public when they carry out their duties. They are advised to be more people-friendly in their dealings with the public.

Q: It is said that the majority of the Policemen when served in the North are only given a crash training on para-military activities but they lack the knowledge of handling day-to-day investigations. Will they be given a training before they are deployed in other areas?

A: It is incorrect to say that they are not trained to handle public affairs. All these officers posted to the North were given a proper training by the Police Colleges and also in the eight Provincial Training Institutes on these matters.

They were given training on criminal investigations, human rights, man management and riot management. When they are posted to other areas they are not functioning alone but under the supervision of the senior Police officers. Therefore, they know well about handling the public.

Q: It is reported some of these Police officers have connections with politicians. Will you allow politics to hinder the investigations into grave crimes?

A: No. I will not take any orders from politicians to protect these suspects. With regard to political influence in these two cases, I can say it is absolutely nothing.

I have received very correct and clear instructions from President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Defence Secretary to conduct the inquiries impartially and they also gave me instructions to take tough disciplinary action against the offenders. I want to reiterate that no one is above the law.

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* During the last year, the Police did exceptionally well to crush the LTTE and later to detect containerfulls of explosives.

* The Criminal Investigation Department and Director, Special investigation Unit are conducting investigations.

* Colombo Crime Division Director SSP Vaas Gunawardena has been transferred to Police Headquarters.

* The CCD chief has admitted the ‘misdemeanours’ committed by his son and wife.

* The Police always maintain

independence and impartiality in the conduct of these cases.

* The Police has recovered more than 6400kgs of explosives

* We are prepared to face any criticism with substance but not those without a basis.

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