Sunday Times 2
IGP: A man of policing experience
This has reference to former Deputy Inspector General Sumith Liyanage’s article which was a response to an article written by retired Senior Superintendent (SSP) Tassie Seneviratne, claiming that the present IGP N.G. Ilangakoon lacks experience.
IGP Illangakoon
Having read both the articles and checked the career record of the present IGP, I find that of all the IGPs who adorned the hot seat during the past 20 years or so, Mr. Ilangakoon stands out as the police chief with the most practical policing experience.
Mr. Ilangakoon joined the Police service as a probationary Sub-Inspector in 1980 and served in the Homagama, Athurugiriya and Nugegoda Police areas, engaged in crime investigations, traffic control, prosecution, etc., until up to 1982. He was then appointed as an Assistant Superintendent of Police having passed the required examinations. Thereafter he joined the STF.
When he was attached to the STF he was in the forefront of the battle in combating the LTTE and during one such encounter he was injured in his eye and was hospitalised. As Mr. Liyanage has mentioned, he was Senior Superintendent of Police of the Anuradhapura Division from 1995 to 1996. During this period, I was the DIG North Western Province and Mr. Liyanage was DIG North Central Province. The Anuradhapura Division came directly under Mr. Liyanage. Whenever Mr. Liyanage went on leave, I acted for him and during the acting period I had interaction with Mr. Ilangakoon who was then SSP Anuradhapura. I believe he had wide practical knowledge of all aspects of Police work. As part of my duty, I had seen his competence in correspondence where he had given accurate directions and made right decisions. As SSP Anuradhapura Division, he had several Police Stations under him and several senior Officers working under him. If I recollect correctly, there was an election and he conducted himself impartially, also ensuring that the Officers under him too acted in the same manner.
It is also said that he acted firmly when he was summoned to Temple Trees in the early hours of January 8 this year, paving the way for a peaceful transition of power. Most of the IGPs who served before him were mere “yes” men and serving and retired Police Officers and the people know the difference. The present IGP is an officer with experience in all aspects of police work.
(The writer is a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police)