Diplomatic divisions dismayed over failure to appoint Latheef as STF commandant and disrespect shown to Police commission

 

(Lanka-e-News - 18.Aug.2016, 7.30 AM) The failure to appoint senior DIG M.R.Latheef as the commandant of the police STF despite the recommendation made by the Independent Police commission has drawn the serious  attention of the foreign Diplomatic circles.

Based on inquiries made by diplomatic divisions , the IGP has been unable to carry out the recommendation of the Police Commission owing to pressures brought to bear by the presidential secretariat.

This villainy and obstruction  which can militate against the independent Commissions appointed to augment and strengthen Democracy in the country have caused disappointment and disillusionment among the Diplomatic divisions. If the president is not involved in  these pressures exerted by the presidential secretariat , surely there was  enough time for the president to remedy the situation . But apparently no such action has been taken by the president so far. The Diplomatic divisions are therefore dismayed and disappointed over it.

Meanwhile , according to reports reaching Lanka e news,  a proposal has been made by a powerful quarter  of the government to give him an appointment in the  diplomatic service , instead of granting him the STF commandant post. Latheef however has bitterly opposed that move.

He had explained that the diplomatic assignment is not what he requested , and as the Constitutional council  has recommended him to the post of STF commandant after considering the pros and cons , he shall be appointed to  that post , rather than  a diplomatic assignment.

The Constitutional Council has sharply focused on the failure to implement the recommendation made  by the Independent Police Commission because the latter was established by the Constitutional council.

SC verdict - It  is the Commission that can  and not the IGP

Already the Supreme court (SC) has given a verdict on the implementation of the recommendations of the Police Commission vis a vis the powers of the IGP.

The verdict given by the chief justice SriPavan and justice Anil Gunaratne states ,it is the National Police commission that can effect transfers to the officers above the grade of ASPs , and not the IGP , and if the IGP is acting heedless of this basic tenet such action is against the laws and invalid.

This verdict was delivered by the court based on a fundamental rights (FR) petition filed  by SSP Palitha Siriwardena against a statement made  by IGP Poojitha Jayasundara soon after his appointment as IGP during a meeting held at Kilinochchi district secretariat. The statement made by the IGP was Siriwardena will have to be transferred out of Kilinochchi.

Siriwardena filed an FR petition in the SC that the statement made by the IGP  was  not consonant with the laws and is a violation of his  fundamental rights. 

Therefore based on the verdict delivered by the SC , the appointment  of Latheef made by the Police Commission cannot be changed even by the president. If Latheef’s appointment is not given effect to by the IGP by  kowtowing  to  the Executive , the CID and the FCID which are today functioning independently , will no doubt become Institutions filled with henchmen and lickspittles appointed to suit and serve the needs of the Executive with the inevitable result – both Institutions becoming servile services of the executive with sycophants and henchmen doing only the latter’s sordid biddings  as in the past.

The masses did not sweat and toil via the rainbow revolution to make a success of the  establishment  of Independent  Commissions,  in order  to subordinate or to subjugate the Commissions  to the Executive. In the circumstances the Civil organizations  must spearhead the campaign against these  barbaric and uncouth attempts and actions.

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by     (2016-08-19 08:45:31)