The government has broken the backbone of the Police Department, the UNP claimed yesterday, responding to a statement made by Western Province (North) DIG Vass Gunawardene recently.

“Politicians of this government keep frequently attacking police officers and damaging the independency of the Police Department,” Opposition Leader of the Western Provincial Council Manju Sri Arangala said.

DIG Vass Gunawardene had said, those officers who did not possess a backbone should leave the Department, and had instructed the officers to be always armed when on a mission, as some policemen were assaulted by certain groups recently.

“It was clearly the government politicians that attacked the police officers. We were informed that some junior police officers were assaulted by politicians over a verbal altercation, when trying to search a vehicle,” Mr. Arangala said.

Even in the case of minor incidents police officers had to go against the law and support politicians, as the officers’ careers were at stake, he said.  

He further said, recently some members of the public and political groups had also confronted the police on certain investigations.

“The public fears and senses political interference because investigations in certain cases were slow,” he said.

Speaking at the news conference UNP MP Gayantha Karunatilake said the government should win an Oscar award for its talented dramatic skills. (Lahiru Pothmulla)