Balasuriya bypassing IGP: Poll watchers

Charging the Police Department of being inactive against violations of election laws, local election watchdogs today accused Law and Order Ministry Secretary Mahinda Balasuriya of influencing politically motivated transfers of Police officers.

“It appears that Secretary Balasuriya is giving direct orders to Senior DIGs, ignoring the Inspector General of Police,” Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon said.

“This would only lead to the disintegration of the Police Department. People will look down on the Department,” he said.

Executive Director of People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), Rohana Hettiarachchi said that several Police officers had been transferred during the last 45 days.  

“There was a time when 350 Police officers transferred at once. These transfers would affect the credibility of the election,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)