Public Security Minister shocked by deplorable facilities available to junior cops

Minister of Public Security, Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekara who visited Yatiyantota, Bulathkohupitiya and Kitulgala police stations over the weekend was shocked to witness the deplorable conditions prevailing with regard to facilities provided to the lower ranks and instructed senior officers to act fast to remedy the situation prevailing in those stations.

“I had to reprimand some senior officers and I warned them severely that they should act quick and solve the problems prevailing there in those stations and I need results. I am ready to help them to make amends and uplift the living conditions of policemen, and I need senior officers who think of the welfare of their junior ranks,” the minister said.

There were 427 barracks to be constructed and 321 had already been renovated to cater to the increased number of policemen during the recent past, the minister said. He said that the government had decided to increase allowances and batta payments for police personnel and to introduce a meal allowance for them.

Minister Weerasekera said that the previous government had established police stations without any regard for their proper maintenance.

Kegalle District MP Rajika Wickramasinghe and DIG Priyantha Weerasuriya were also present.