Police to be reformed soon - State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa
September 02, 2020- Says reforms will be introduced after reviewing Illangakoon Report
- Pledges to improve the working environment and welfare of Policemen
- Stresses discipline is vital in the Police service while maintaining tough internal supervision system
State Ministry of Internal Security is to introduce reforms into the Police service after reviewing the report submitted by former Police Chief N.K.Illangakoon.
“After reviewing the recommendations mentioned in the report submitted by former Inspector General of Police Illangakoon, the ministry will implement those recommendations to reform the Police service,” Irrigation Minister and State Minister of Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management Chamal Rajapaksa said.
Requesting Police officers to submit their own views to support to introduce reforms, he said he was planning to meet them regularly to get their view to make the Police service more efficient.
Minister Rajapaksa, during his visit to the Police Headquarters in Colombo, today (Sept 2), said the Ministry would take measures to create a sound working environment for Police officers.
“Better working environment and job satisfaction are key to deliver a better and quality Police service to the public,” he said.
Minister Rajapaksa referring to the present outlook of the Police Headquarters building, said the ministry had also planned to improve the outer appearances of country’s Police stations to boost the image of the service while looking into Police officers’ welfare.
Addressing the officers, he stressed the importance of maintaining a strong supervision system by the senior Police officers to address internal issues, including the status of buildings belonging to Police stations, which needed proper maintenance.
“Those days, when I was in the Police Service, our senior officers had a strict supervision system, which even looks into minor matters. We need to bring back such systems to gain the good name of the Police service. Otherwise, this will badly affect the image of the government,” Minister Rajapaksa said stressing the need for maintaining discipline among Police officers to reach people’s expectations of the service.
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said people elected the government expecting that it would end underworld, drug mafia, organised crimes and extortions and the Police had a more important role to play to fulfill their expectations to create a country free of such crimes.
“The massive contribution made by the Police officers against organized crimes, drugs and underworld, the Police have now earned people’s respect. While continuing to fight against these crimes, senior Police officers have a responsibility to correct a few number of police officers who are involved in corruption to take them to the right track to make this service more people’s friendly Police service,” he said.
