Govt. to get tough with shirkers in uniform making false claims

…members highlight policemen consuming drugs

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security has discussed the possibility of retiring the police personnel who are not physically fit to be in active service.

The issue was discussed at the first meeting of the committee held on 20 Oct under the chairmanship of Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles.

MPs pointed out that a significant number of police personnel had submitted medical certificates claiming they were not in good health. On the basis of those medical certificates they had been able to excuse themselves from certain regular police duties. However, inquiries had revealed some of them had made false claims.

Thus, the Inspector General of Police pointed out that there were about 4,000 police officers who were not fit enough to carry out their duties and functions. Accordingly, Minister Tiran Alles advised that the Police Department should prepare necessary proposal regarding the removal of police officers who are not at the required health standard for a long period of time and send it to the ministry.

The Inspector General of Police pointed out that a large number of police officers would retire this year and therefore there will be about 16,000 vacancies.

The issue of some law enforcement officers taking drugs was also taken up for discussion. The committee focused on the implementation of the law regarding character assassination using the internet.

The affairs of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, the Department of Registration of Persons, the Department of Immigration and Emigration the National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organizations were also discussed.

State Ministers Jagath Pushpakumara, Lohan Ratwatte, Shantha Bandara, Mohan Priyadarshan de Silva, Janaka Vakkambura, Members of Parliament Madhura Withanage, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Chandima Weerakkody, D. Weerasinghe, Asanka Navaratne, (Dr.) Gayashan Navananda and Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa were present at this meeting.