SDIGs go against Tiran

alleges Minister backing particular person

• Says that their transfers are  illegal

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Several Senior DIGs including Ajith Rohana and Priyantha  Weerasooriya who were transferred by the Public Security Ministry under  the covering approval of the National Police Commission (NPC) have  written to the NPC and the ministry saying that their transfers are  illegal and they have not been mentioned any reasons. 

  Seven Senior DIGs including Lalith Pathinayake, Priyantha  Weerasooriya and Ajith Rohana who are competing for the post of  Inspector General of Police (IGP) have been transferred due to service  requirements by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security on  Monday.  

Responding to transfers, Ajith Rohana and Priyantha  Weerasooriya requested NPC Chairman Chandra Fernando not to approve the  malicious, unreasonable and unjustifiable transfers by Public Security  Minister Tiran Alles.  

 Ajith Rohana alleged that the minister has done all these malicious acts to harass them and to protect a particular SDIG.   

Ajith Rohana alleged that the minister has done all these malicious acts to harass them and to protect a particular SDIG.  The Senior DIG further said that Minister Alles had  summoned him to the minister’s office last week and informed that the  South was not under control.   “If the minister is correct, I invite the members of NPC to  scrutinize and compare crime statistics, shooting incidents and other  activities related to the police that happened in the Southern and  Western Provinces. The minister does all these malicious acts to harass  us and to protect one particular SDIG,” he said.  Meanwhile, SDIG Rohana also informed the Secretary to the  Ministry of Public Security that he is not bound to implement the  transfer orders without the approval of the Police Commission.  He said according to the law and the Constitution, the NPC  has been empowered to transfer police officers and the Commission has  not given any authority to approve the transfer of senior DIGs.   While stating that the transfer was made under the covering  approval of the NPC, Rohana told the secretary, “There is no doctrine  of ‘coverage approval’ in the transfer procedure”.  “According to Section 56 of the Police Ordinance and in the  case of Wijesuriya vs Government NLR 25 of 1974, I am not bound to  carry out the illegal orders,” he said.  Accordingly, the Senior DIG said that unless the Police  Commission approves these transfers, the orders are illegal. He said  that he is not bound to execute such illegal orders.  Meanwhile, in a letter to NPC Chairman Fernando, the Senior  DIG Weerasooriya said that being the Officer-in-Charge of the Province,  they are not able to uphold the rule of law properly, and they are  unable to plan out strategies to maintain the Law and Order situation in  the respective area of responsibility, as the majority of SDIG’s are  frustrated and “always on pins.”  

He said Senior DIGs are being given transfers with  immediate effect without showing cause, merely mentioning that the  transfer is on “Exigencies of Service” and cover approval of NPC.   “This ad hoc system has created frustration among many  officers to perform their duties free and fair to the public.  Also I would like to bring to your attention that this practice will  badly affect the image of the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police,  and the solemnity of the office of this rank, and also undervalued  among the subordinate as well. Therefore, I vehemently object to this  transfer order,” he said.