Sunday Times 2
Setting the record straight: Police Chief is a man of experience
I read the article in the Sunday Times of June 14 with much interest, but I was disappointed that several inaccuracies had been mentioned by the author. Knowing both the present IGP, N.K. Illangakoon, and the author of the article, Retired SSP Tassie Seneviratne, I was quite surprised at these inaccuracies.
IGP Illangakoon
Therefore, I pen these words to do justice to an exemplary gentleman, an honest policeman, a brave warrior in the classic traditions of our ancestors, a human for whom the call of duty is sacred. That would be my description of our present IGP, NK Illangakoon, who incidentally joined the Police Department as an ASP.
It has been mentioned in the said article, quite unfairly and unfortunately, that the present IGP “lacks experience as officer in charge of a police station, Police Division, or Police Range where investigations are carried out strictly according to the Code of Criminal Procedure”. I am sure that such a statement by the author is due to a serious lapse of memory, misguidance, lack of knowledge, or the lack of due diligence in studying the background of the person concerned. I would like to give the benefit of the doubt and say it is due lapse of memory.
I say so with firsthand knowledge and experience since Mr. Illangakoon was my SSP when I served as the DIG NCR. Having served the STF with distinction, as the author very rightly mentions, he covered the “difficult” Anuradhapura area covering more than 20 police stations. During his tenure as SSP, he knew every policeman under him, whether officer or other ranks or staff, on a first name basis — an indication of how well and closely he knew each of his men. Most SSPs, for that matter even OICs, will find it hard-put to remember subordinates, even in their immediate staff, on such basis. Mr. Illangakoon cared for his men enough to know them individually. Knowing his men, understanding them well, listening to their grievances, wants, needs and suggestions enabled him garner the unstinted support and esteem of his men and to serve “with distinction” in the STF, where more often than not, his life and that of his men were “on the line” in combat with the LTTE when he served in Batticaloa in the mid-eighties.
Sri Lanka police could be truly proud that for the first time in its history, it is led by a veteran of many deadly battles with the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world, the LTTE — a man willing to sacrifice his life for the country, for his men and for the high values, on which his life and outlook is based upon.
He is the only one, among his many predecessors as IGP, who has learnt the lessons of his service life the hardest possible way and earned his progress in the service by continuously putting his life in the line of fire. No other has come to this position in this manner.
He presents a fine blend of battlefield experience and police work according to the relevant procedures.
True, there have been fine gentlemen before him, but none has travelled this difficult and dangerous path to head the police.
Therefore, here we have a man unique in experience in the battlefield, as well as in the administration of Police Divisions, which incidentally covers welfare as well, one who patiently listens to all his men, receptive to constructive suggestions for the benefit of the Police Department and to the citizens of Sri Lanka. He is well suited and fitted out to meet all or any turbulence that the Department or the country may face.
As the IGP, he is required to carry out the instructions of the Government and no doubt the pragmatic person he is, he must be obtaining the advice of the AG in all contentious matters. It would not be prudent or fair to assume that he does not seek advice. The Government, too, must be seeking the advice from the AG on such contentious matters before putting them into action. The fact that such consultations are not touted in the public domain surely does not mean that they do not take place.
Many illustrious gentlemen who served as IGP have been mentioned in the article, men for whom I have the utmost respect and esteem, having the honour to have served under them in various capacities in the department. They in their turn, gave of their best to lead the department in their tenures.
Likewise, should we not give the present IGP to serve his tenure in the best of traditions and honour, rather than be critical, unjustly and unfairly as I feel, by classing him as suffering from “a lack of experience”?