Majority of Constitutional Council members decline to approve IGP extension

18 November 2023 07:07 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) - The Constitutional Council (CC) appears to be divided, with the majority of members declining to approve the reappointment of Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Daily Mirror learns.

The government has failed to make a permanent appointment since March this year because of differences between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Public Security Minister Tiran Alles on the next police officer to be picked for the post.

Mr. Alles is insistent on the appointment of senior DIG (Deputy Inspector General) Deshabandu Tennakoon whereas the President is opposed to it.

It resulted in Mr. Wickramaratne being recalled for service after retirement. He has been given extensions for four times now. The latest extension for three weeks was given on November 3.

However, the CC was unable to reach a consensus yesterday to approve the extension granted by the President in his capacity as the appointing authority.

Daily Mirror learns that all three civil society members, backed by a few others, were opposed to the extension. As a result, the CC will meet today for the second time to decide finally on
the matter.

Also, there is a legal ambiguity as to whether the service extension granted by the President is valid without CC approval or not in terms of the Constitution.

The CC is a ten-member body. Its members are Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, MP Sagara Kariyawasam, Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, Dr. (Mrs) Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere, Dr. (Mrs) Dinesha Samararatne and MP Kabir Hasheem. One post still remains vacant.

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Comments - 26

Terrence K Saturday, 18 November 2023 07:56 AM

President maybe wanting an IGP who has not tarnished his reputation since there is a Public outcry insisting that an impartial IGP is appointed who has a clean record in his career whilst the other contenders down the line have been Yes Men to their Masters doing any dirty work to appease them whilst not caring for the public who are clamouring for transparency and Justice of the law irrespective of the standing of personalities.

DD Saturday, 18 November 2023 08:41 AM

It's like watching a magic show where everyone's trying to pull a rabbit out of the hat, but instead, they keep pulling out different animals altogether! One side wants Tennakoon, while the other insists on keeping Wickramaratne in the spotlight. At this time, we are just spectators, awaiting the elections to provide the correct answer.

This is reality Saturday, 18 November 2023 08:50 AM

Break the shackles and appoint someone perhaps lower on the ladder of seniority, who is educated intelligent and who could lead by example.

Sokrates Saturday, 18 November 2023 08:57 AM

Why doesn't Ranil fire Tiran Alles. A minister who wants Deshabandu Tennakoon, a Crook and criminal as IGP must be a Crook himself.

Ciril Abeykoon - Air Force Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:10 AM

No for Desabandu Tennakoon anyway - this is the verdict from the general public as we have seen how he acted in Galle Face few years back, no one had forgotten..

Hemantha Siriwardene - attorney at law Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:13 AM

There are capable DIG's other than Desabandu Tennakoon, why not President appoint the best from that lot.

C.K.lankaputhra Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:13 AM

Does it mean that the President of the country shall work to the whim

Dr. Lalith Kanangara Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:15 AM

Now our President will not consider any back washers of SLPP or Rajapakshe family, very soon he will take the right decision.

Bannis Mama Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:17 AM

Even Ranil will hold IGP's post like how he holds tightly important positions. He won't trust even SLPP rotters who still supports him.

Atha Katha Somay - Boru, Annang Mannang Na... Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:21 AM

Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe (President) is looking for an obedient servant who says Yes Sir or No Sir for all what he says, this is the truth. He proved this as been a Hitler ordering NÉliya and Kandy Post office to be converted as Hotels or he will sack the postal chief.

Spartacus Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:22 AM

If you look at this CC members, it consists of all the political crooks specially fellows like Dinesh Gunawardene Nimal Siripala who are Rajapakse henchies. We cannot see one Tamil member of the north in this like Sumanthiran who are disciplined

Black Belt - Jim Jones Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:22 AM

President will extend the period of the present IGP as he is a faithful dog to him.

Joshua Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:48 AM

The plot to make way for that Deshabandu seems to be gaining ground. Stinks

Onlooker Saturday, 18 November 2023 10:01 AM

If even one agrees to President's proposal, it Only shows how useless this CC is to protect our constitutional rights by the unacceptable extension of service.

Bandu Saturday, 18 November 2023 10:36 AM

How can these politicos (includes Prez and CC) play around with the constitutional rights of we the citizens by playing favourites and trying to get a useless police officer hated by the public as our IGP.

Keran Saturday, 18 November 2023 11:02 AM

Once the present IGP ends his service Tennakoon has to be given the post. All the pottuwa fellows wants this chap.what to do.

A supporter of corrupt DIG Saturday, 18 November 2023 11:06 AM

Minister Tiran Alles wants to appoint a corrupt DIG as the next IGP but RW is afraid because he believes as a Security Consultant of corrupt SLC, that DIG will be too busy to take care of the security of the entire country. Let us wait and see who is more powerful, the Minister or the President.

Mahila Saturday, 18 November 2023 11:54 AM

True, But resultant Stalemate thrice Over!!!??? Find someone from Outside!!!???

Gune Saturday, 18 November 2023 12:15 PM

SL public service is full of highly politicised "Yes" men and women. Police is one major one. Majority in public service also lack skills and intelligence. Part of the county's downfall is due to these highly corrupt, inefficient skillless public service. You add the 225 to it. You get a wonderland that you can be proud of.

Bankrupt Philosophy Saturday, 18 November 2023 01:03 PM

Niganta Anaatha sons in a deadlock sliding the country to a loosing end. Go for an election under empowered election commission with full police powers. Is there any other country that their politicians and officials colide to loose popular sports, educated people....?????

ChildOfGod Saturday, 18 November 2023 01:47 PM

Some of the Headlines in this post disgust me, but a few comments put a smile on my face and are factual but said with a twist of humor. Keep up the good work those that bring facts to light and those who make us readers aware of some facts we are not aware of obviously due to living overseas for many many years.

Buddhist Saturday, 18 November 2023 05:31 PM

Ranil is correct for once for not appointing Deshabandu.

Paul of Rome Saturday, 18 November 2023 06:30 PM

Give it to someone who can deliver and do the job without trying to find a person with a clean sheet

sam Saturday, 18 November 2023 07:33 PM

Correct decision we should have a new IGP once the incumbent retires.

Ex SL police officer Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:17 PM

NO ONE IS INDISPENSABLE IN THIS WORLD. IF KING CHARLES III, SAYS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, PRINCE WILLIAM IS THERE TO TAKE OVER. RETIRE PEOPLE WHO HAVE REACHED RETIREMENT AGE. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS AND APPOINT THE BEST APPLICANT. These sort of problems never happens in uk. Retirement means retired.

Mohamed Burhan Saturday, 18 November 2023 11:57 PM

Mr.C.D.Wickremaratne looks a very honest personality and a good worker and the President might have seen this.For the love of country and respective council leave aside petty differences and give this Gentleman another 1 year.All will be happy

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Majority of Constitutional Council members decline to approve IGP extension

Comments - 26

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