UPFA constituent alleges escalation of robberies, violence in Jaffna 

Jaffna police deny claim

By Shamindra Ferdinando-January 1, 2014

The Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) is pushing for additional police presence in the Jaffna peninsula claiming an escalation of robberies, violence and what the UPFA constituent calls anti-social activities.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda, who is also the leader of the EPDP, emphasised the need for new police stations and posts in the Jaffna electoral district.

The minister was addressing the Jaffna District Civil Security Committee held at the Jaffna District Secretariat on Dec 26, 2013. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Jaffna, Rohan Dias was among the officers present at the meeting. Minister Devananda suggested that additional night police patrols would help curb the situation.

The meeting convened by Jaffna Government Agent Sundaram Arumainayagam, was chaired by Minister Devananda.

Minister Devananda also requested the police to shift the police station located at Keerimalai Hindu Kovil to prevent disturbances to the devotees. The Minister urged the police to set up a police station closer to Mathagal beach to tackle those engaged in smuggling ‘Kerala’ ganja and round up those cutting down palmyrah palms and transporting trunks without permits.

Asked whether the Jaffna police were under pressure due to escalation of robberies, violence and anti-social activities, authoritative law enforcement officers said that the EPDP had misrepresented facts. There was absolutely no basis for special deployment in support of law enforcement operations in the Jaffna peninsula, they said. However, the police realised the urgent need for setting up new police stations and upgrade some police posts for the convenience of the public, they said. In some instances, people had been forced to travel over 20 kms to lodge a complaint, therefore new police stations would give swift access to the public, the police said.

Responding to another query, the police said that the police had the wherewithal to handle cases in Tamil. Contrary to reports even court cases were handled in Tamil, the police.

Asked whether the police intended to establish new stations, a senior official said that they were in a dilemma due to dearth of state land in the peninsula. The official said: "In fact, most of the police stations in the peninsula are housed at privately owned buildings. We are facing a crisis due to some owners requesting their buildings back. Urgent action plan is needed to find alternative land and we may have to acquire land at current market prices."

Minister Devananda has told Jaffna GA to find state land or rent out private property for the police.

Sylvestri Allantin, Member of Parliament for Jaffna District; Kugenthran, a former Member of Parliament; Mrs. Rubani Varathalingam, Additional Government Agent, Jaffna; all the Divisional Secretaries; Professor Balasundarampillai, Senior Superintendent of Police; Jaffna District, Assistant superintendents of police Jaffna District and relevant Senior Government Officials participated at this meeting.