Untitled Document

Summary justice
It is customary for retiring police chiefs to reward those loyal to them with promotions and pay rises. But the outgoing Police Chief, the controversial Indra de Silva did more.

On the days before his retirement, he called for the files of some errant police officers against whom disciplinary inquiries were pending. Some of the allegations were of a serious nature that the officers in question also faced legal action in courts.

Mr de Silva made endorsements on the investigation files ordering that no further action was necessary. Why? All because of another endorsement which says he had warned them.

That is how the files were closed. Now some of them who were transferred out want to go to their original stations or closer. In some cases he even recommended that.

But some of the complainants have got wind of the former IG's summary justice and protested both to the National Police Commission and the new Police Chief, Chandra Fernando. They are now awaiting justice for them and say at least the NPC is now there to redress their needs.

They await justice whilst the former Police Chief is enjoying retirement. Foreign Ministry sources in the meanwhile dismissed reports that he was being considered for a diplomatic posting.

Ex top sleuths in new role
Two seasoned retired policemen who excelled in their days have joined the National Police Commission and have been tasked to deal with disciplinary matters.

They are Anton Jeyanathan and O.K. Hemachandra.
Mr Jeyanathan was the intelligence officer at the Deputy High Commissioner's Office in Chennai at the beginning of the separatist war. He maintained a close rapport with the Tamil Nadu Police under the late M.G. Ramachandran.

Mr. Hemachandra was a former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where he cracked several important cases.

A don't get caught message
The Permanent Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption has launched a campaign to educate members of the armed forces of their manifold functions.

The Director General, Piyasena Ranasinghe, was at the Eastern Command Headquarters of the Sri Lanka Navy in Trincomalee yesterday. He and his officials spoke to all ranks in the Dockyard about their functions and how they deal with matters relating to bribery and corruption.

Purse strings
Twenty six year old Kumari Chamila gave birth to qunituplets at the Castle Street Maternity Hospital. That was after she was transferred there two weeks earlier from the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital where she found her Police Constable husband could not afford Rs 300,000 as medical charges.

This is despite the earlier procedure where poor patients who brought a letter of recommendation from the Grama Sevaka, and endorsed by the Consultants, were exempt from medical charges in this state run hospital.

So economy minded are the big bosses now running this Japanese aided hospital. But they have lined up a grand tamasha at a leading social club in the City for Thursday night. The occasion? For the consultants to meet the suppliers to the hospital. Of course the bills for this do are being paid from hospital funds. Some consultants say they will boycott the event.

SLAF and bomb threats
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has moved into its multi storied new headquarters, one that adjoins its old premises. However, it's Commander, Air Marshal Donald Perera remains in his old office and is due to shift only next week.

Tight security has been enforced on the orders of Air Marshal Perera around the new SLAF headquarters building. Visitors and officer ranks are not allowed to take their vehicles into the new location. The only exception is Directors of the SLAF, who are all senior officers. But an Air Force Bomb Disposal Squad is examining even their vehicles when they report for work daily.

Back to Columns