The National Police Commission (NPC) has issued a detailed statement rejecting allegations made by Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya regarding interference in police transfers.

The NPC clarified that all transfers during the Acting IGP’s tenure were conducted in accordance with established procedures and further provided a breakdown of the approvals granted.

The dispute came into the spotlight after the Acting IGP, during a media briefing, accused the NPC of obstructing police operations by withholding transfer powers. 

He claimed that without authority over transfers, his role as IGP was nominal. (Newswire)

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A complaint has been lodged with the National Police Commission regarding the harassment of three-wheeler taxi services by local three-wheeler drivers in tourist areas.

It is reported that the complaint claims that Police Officials have failed to take action regarding such incidents. 

As such, the National Police Commission has reportedly summoned the DIG of the Tourist Police Unit over the matter. 

Several complaints, especially from Down South and Kandy, have also been received on local three-wheeler drivers threatening drivers of three-wheeler taxi services, such as PickMe and Uber.

Preventing the three-wheeler taxi services from entering tourist areas, complaints also claim that local three-wheelers with meters were charging high prices to both tourists and locals. (Newswire)

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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)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed displeasure over the National Police Commission, highlighting the institution’s actions related to transfers.

Addressing a recent event, President Dissanayake said that Police transfers cannot be made per someone’s wish and have to go through the National Police Commission.

“The Police Commission must implement the transfers. But, the Commission has shown reluctance over some transfers. Now, I am also reluctant regarding the National Police Commission,” he said. 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further said several more files regarding corruption cases will be reopened and investigated by the Bribery Commission.

Addressing a recent event, President Dissanayake revealed several corruption cases filed over the last 15 years have become hoarded as the former governments did not allow probes into the complaints.

He said this has resulted in delays and backlogs at the Bribery Commission, Attorney General’s Department, and the judiciary. 

“Each official has around 100 to 200 files from the last 15 years. How do we file cases in court? The Bribery Commission has been made non-functional due to this. When the institution fails then all complaint files are stuck and become backlogged. When these cases are reopened the investigating officials face various issues,” the President said. 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the Bribery Commission has agreed to reopen past complaints of national importance and file cases this month, adding that it is also expected to file several more such cases in February. 

The President added that measures have been taken to strengthen the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Bribery Commission through various appointments to address backlogged cases related to corruption. (Newswire)

"Sometimes I'm asked if we can't nab a thief or two. But remand prison isn't enough," President AKD says wrongdoers must not just be imprisoned but convicted in court. pic.twitter.com/qcA1JmyKM0

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