A request by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya from the National Police Commission (NPC) to be delegated the responsibility of making OIC appointments, has been rejected by the NPC, with the matter being transferred to the National Constitutional Council (CC). 

The conflict came into the limelight during a media briefing yesterday, during which the Acting IGP accused the Police Commission of interfering with the internal work of the Police Department.

According to the Sunday Times, the IGP claimed that without the necessary powers to do transfers, he was only an IGP in name.

He further clarified that the Attorney General’s opinion had been sought on the matter and they were informed that these are not ‘appointments’ but ‘transfers’, which can be undertaken by the IGP.

According to reports, of the 197 names that were recommended by the Acting IGP for OIC appointments, the NPC has so far approved around 140 names.

A few of the nominated names were withheld due to them lacking the necessary qualifications to hold such a position, it was reported. (Newswire)

The post Acting IGP clashes with Police Commission appeared first on Newswire.

The public has been informed to inform the Acting IGP if they do not receive a summons within two weeks for complaints filed at Police Stations.

According to the Sri Lanka Police, the public who has not received a summons in the specified period has been advised to file a complaint to the Acting IGP via www.telligp.police.lk.

Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya has instructed that various complaints reported to the police stations that have not been investigated yet, be investigated and completed within 2 weeks.

All senior officials, including provincial Senior DIGs, have been instructed to prepare and implement a special program in this regard.

A statement issued by the Acting IGP says information has been revealed that a large number of complaints reported to the police stations have not been investigated and the investigations have not been completed.

He points out that as a result, various complaints reported as minor incidents may become a more serious crime, damaging the public’s confidence in the police.

Therefore, the Acting IGP has instructed that going forward, police stations should take measures to start investigating, on the same day, the various complaints reported to the police stations and to complete the probes within 48 hours.

The Acting IGP has also instructed relevant officers to monitor the system and to inform of Police OICs who are found to be acting contrary to the directives. (Newswire)

The post Acting IGP gives 2 weeks for Police probe into public complaints appeared first on Newswire.

A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition that was filed seeking an order to instruct the President to appoint an Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), was rejected by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today. 

The Supreme Court further ordered the petitioner to pay Rs. 50,000 in court fees. 

The Attorney General’s representative had also informed the court that the petition contained false information and breached Article 92 of the Constitution

The petition was filed challenging President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s eligibility to run in the presidential election, based on claims of failure to appoint an Acting IGP and judges to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.  

The FR petition was filed at the court by Attorney-at-Law R. S. P. Ranasooriya, naming President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Attorney General as respondents.

Filing the FR Petition, the petitioner said that the interim order issued by the Supreme Court in July restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon from exercising the powers, functions, and responsibilities of the office of IGP, does not prevent the President from appointing an Acting IGP. 

He further pointed out that the President who claimed he could not make any appointments due to contesting the upcoming election has appointed Foreign Minister Ali Sabry as the Justice Minister. 

The petitioner alleged that the President was violating the Constitution and was misusing the powers vested in him. 

Stating that the non-appointment of an Acting IGP was putting the security of the public at risk, the petitioner claimed the President who had violated the Constitution was not suitable to contest the Presidential election. (Newswire)

The post SC rejects FR petition challenging President’s Election eligibility appeared first on Newswire.

A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition has been filed at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka seeking an order to instruct the President to appoint an Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The FR petition was filed at the court today by Attorney-at-Law R. S. P. Ranasooriya. President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Attorney General have been named as respondents.

According to media reports, the petitioner states that the interim order issued by the Supreme Court in July restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon from exercising the powers, functions, and responsibilities of the office of IGP, does not prevent the President from appointing an Acting IGP. 

He further points out that the President who claimed he could not make any appointments due to contesting the upcoming election has now appointed Foreign Minister Ali Sabry as the Justice Minister. 

The petitioner alleges that the President was violating the Constitution and was misusing the powers vested in him. Stating that the non-appointment of an Acting IGP was putting the security of the public at risk, the petitioner claims the President who had violated the Constitution was not suitable to contest the Presidential election. 

Accordingly, the petition has requested the Supreme Court to rule that the President has violated the fundamental rights of the citizens and to also order him to appoint a suitable senior Police officer as the Acting IGP. (Newswire)

The post FR petition filed seeking appointment of Acting IGP appeared first on Newswire.

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) in charge of the Western Province, Deshabandu Tennakoon has been appointed as the Acting IGP of Sri Lanka.

Issuing a statement, the Police Media Unit said that the appointment was effective from today, November 29, 2023, for a period of three months.

According to reports, further decisions pertaining to the role will be made in the next three months.

The appointment comes as the incumbent IGP of Sri Lanka, C. D. Wickramaratne has completed his tenure.

Even though the IGP was set to retire earlier this year, he had received several extensions from the government.

However, IGP C.D. Wickremaratne recently informed the government that he is retiring from his position, with the Police Department confirming that the current extension has concluded. (NewsWire)

The post SDIG Deshabandu Tennakoon appointed Acting IGP appeared first on Newswire.