Open Letter To EC & IGP; Give Every Voter A Security Detail

By Kusal Perera -December 5, 2014 

Kusal Perara

A news report in the English print media today (04/12/2014) said, defected government MP and former deputy minister Duminda Dissanayake’s 20 member security detail had all been transferred out to rural police stations. Seriously, this number is unimaginably a XXL number for any politician now. This also means, well over 100 such ministers, deputy ministers and “Kangani” MPs attached to ministries are running about with such or even heavier security details, some not just with armed police, but with special military squads too. It is a legal fact, transfer of public servants after an election is declared officially, amounts to a clear violation of law. Yet it happened before, especially in the police department and would happen again. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) remains directly answerable for all such violations and so should the Elections Commissioner (EC). He of course would say, the law does not give him enough teeth to bite the issue whole.

Added to the issue of violating law during elections, there are two other politically important issues, the two top officials cannot avoid by saying, “We are independent. Can’t answer political issues”. They cannot dodge these issues as they emerge out of their disregard and negligence in holding on to law as independent public officials. Their disregard in allowing the regime to violate the law for political and personal gains.

First comes the issue and more relevant and directed to the IGP which is, “What threat do these politicians have now, to go about with large contingents of security men?” Armed security for politicians was accepted without questions when the LTTE was targeting politicians, especially key ministers. With the war declared over and the LTTE crushed and wiped out, all barricades and check-points on roads were regarded a hindrance and removed. Absence of the LTTE threat in day to day life thus demands the absence of armed security in public life. Why should these ministers and parliamentarians go about with armed escorts now? Is it not the responsibility of the IGP to raise the issue of men with arms, now in public life? Is it not the responsibility of the EC to tell the Minister of Defense (irony is, the minister is not only the President, but the presidential candidate too) to at least remove armed security men from politicians, from the day of nominations ?Read More