Sunday, June 25, 2017

Ministers up in arms against IGP 

Ministers up in arms against IGP

Jun 24, 2017

There is strongly opposition and disappointment of IGP Pujith Senadhi Bandara Jayasundara among ministers of the ‘Yahapaalana’ government, reports say.

On June 22, the police chief was summoned by Rajitha Senaratne, Mangala Samaraweera and Malik Samarawickram and questioned at length about the IUSF members storming the Health Ministry and causing damage amounting to millions of rupees to state property on the previous day and the failure to arrest Bodu Bala Sena general secretary Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera.

DIG Colombo Pathinayake and senior DIG western province Nandana Munasinghe too, were present. Losing his patience, Senaratne told the IGP, “It was me who pushed you for the position. I will also remove you from the position.” Turning to Munasinghe, he asked, “What is the purpose of the police if a robed person like Gnanasara cannot be arrested? What is the purpose of the police if a state ministry cannot be protected? A constable on your seat would have done a better job.”

The three senior policemen kept silent, with their heads down.

According to reports reaching us, the police commission has instructed Jayasundara to resign with dignity before he is sacked. Elevator operator at the police headquarters Samarakoon Banda is to file a fundamental rights petition against him in the Supreme Court.