Editorial-Independent Police Commission vital

27 August 2013 08:01 pm - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

On the eve of the long-awaited and crucial visit of the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Navaneethan Pillay, President Mahinda Rajapaksa acted fast to set up a new Ministry of Law and Order.
The gazette notification issued on August 16 said the Police Department would function under the new ministry while the Minister would be the President himself. However the Secretary to the Ministry would be a former top military officer, retired Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi.

Earlier the Police Department had been under the Defence Ministry and though the President is also the Defence Minister, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development is Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The proposal to bring the police under civilian instead of military control was one of the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and the move comes amidst an unprecedented crime wave of killings, rapes and robberies, abductions and widespread allegations that the Police Service - intended to be a friend and refuge of the people—has virtually degenerated into a party political force.

Civic action groups and most independent political analysts said that to a large degree the police service had lost its independence and was unable or unwilling to act impartially or independently. They alleged that ruling party politicians from top to bottom were manipulating the police service and all sorts of criminals or underworld gangs could act without fear if they found the favour of ruling party politicians.

Thus the question that most civic action groups and independent political observers are asking is whether the change of ministry will bring about an effective change to make the police a service which acts independently and impartially to maintain law and order.
They believe the more effective solution would be the restoration of the 17th Amendment and the appointment of an independent Police Commission which will be appointed by the President on the recommendation of an all-party Constitutional Council.

Besides ensuring that the police maintain law and order impartially, the independent Commission could act effectively to curb corruption in the Police Department. At present the Police Department is known to be the most corrupt state institution. Most people complain that little or nothing could be done in a police station without giving bribes.

Thus most self-respecting people do not go to a police station when something happens and find some other means of sorting out the issue, while others are often left with no option but to resort to street justice where the solution is often worse than the problem.

With the independence of the judiciary also being seriously affected or distorted, the rule of law also has broken down to a large extent. Thus the President needs to rise to the level of a statesman and take an important step towards restoring democracy and good governance by reviving a police service that is able to act independently and impartially while not being polluted by bribery or corruption.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Editorial-Independent Police Commission vital

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

New Visa procedure implemented

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident