Cops irked by Cabinet paper on cases of bogus political victimisation

By Saman Indrajith

A Cabinet decision taken on Monday to grant 87 policemen alleged to have been politically victimized, promotions and salary increments has irked many senior and junior ranks in the police department.

A senior police officer told The Island that 87 policemen in officer and other ranks were attempting to obtain promotions and salary increments by claiming that they were politically victimised.

The officer said: “As per the Cabinet paper the list contains names of 87 officers and men. Among them are six retired officers including one Senior DIG, interdicted for his alleged involvement in a murder case.

There are many interdicted on disciplinary grounds. There are four senior DIGs, seven DIGs, 11 SSPs, four SPs, eight ASPs, 27 CIs, five IPs, five SIs, six sergeants, four constables, one WSI and one police driver. They are now trying to get promotions claiming  political victimisation. It is unfair by those who have exemplary records in conduct and service. This has demoralised many officers and men in the department.

“Among those on the list is a senior officer punished for dereliction of duty. Under his watch a bottle of water was smuggled into the closed protective circle of the then President Maithripala Sirisena.”

 “They went before a committee appointed soon after the incumbent government came to power and said they had been politically victimised. They are trying to get promotions. Last February, they tried to get the list processed and submitted to the Cabinet, but the Public Security Ministry officials suspended it stating that they needed to study it. It was presented to the Monday’s Cabinet meeting and got the approval.”

Another senior officer said: “One of those to be promoted to the rank of senior DIG claiming  political victimisation is citing as reason a punishment transfer given to him when Pujith Jayasundara was the IGP. The officer is a DIG and was caught with his paramour by his wife, who requested the IGP him to transfer the man to save their family. He was transferred to Mannar. Now, that DIG says he was politically victimised and trying to get promotions and other benefits denied to him because of his indiscipline and behaviour unbecoming  of an officer.”

A spokesman for the Public Security Ministry said that the ministry had received complaints that on the list of alleged victims were some officers who had obtained promotions, transfers and salary increments during the Yahapalana government, by claiming political victimisation under the previous administration.