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seeks explanation from member Commission Chairman Ranjith Abeysuriya, PC told The Sunday Times, the member's explanation had been sought following a directive of President Chandrika Kumaratunga to the Constitutional Council - the body that is responsible for the appointments of the members of the independent Commissions. Mr. Abeysuriya declined to comment on the allegations made by Commission member Dr. B.N.Wijeweera that Ms. Ebert had canvassed for the promotion of a relative, but said the explanation of the Commission member would have to be awaited before any decision is taken. In a strongly worded letter early this week to Speaker Joseph Michael Perera who is the head of the 10 member Constitutional Council, President Kumaratunga said that 'only distinguished and eminent persons with an impeccable background should be considered for appointment to the Independent Commissions'. President Kumaratunga had also directed the Constitutional Council to investigate the allegations made by Dr. Wijeweera in his resignation letter. He had referred to the improper and dishonourable behaviour of a member of the Commission in contravention of the code of conduct pledged by all members of the Police Commission. Ms. Ebert, a former Assistant Secretary at the Defence Ministry was a UNP nominee for the seven member Police Commission which was established in November last year, but which came into operation about three months back. The Sunday Times learns that during a discussion of the Police Commission Ms. Ebert had canvassed for the promotion of a certain police officer and Dr. Wijeweera had queried whether it wasn't her brother that she was canvassing for. Ms. Ebert had admitted that it was a brother, but said that she was making the request based on a judgment given by the Supreme Court that a person holding the same post for six years should be promoted. Ms. Ebert told The Sunday Times that she was in consultation with her lawyers before responding to the allegations made by Dr. Wijeweera. 'This is all professional jealousy', she said. Denying the allegations Ms. Ebert said that she was continuing in service and nobody had told her to step down from office so far. However, the Speaker last week told The Sunday Times that the Constitutional Council would ask her to step down from office following the allegations. Dr. Wijeweera declined to comment on the reasons leading to his resignation and the subsequent developments. These developments came as the Police Commission this week admitted that it had found out that accumulated vacancies in the rank of the Police Service, particularly at the lower levels had reached large proportions and the Commission is formulating a special scheme of promotions for early implementation. Secretary to the Commission Bandula Wijayaratne told The Sunday Times that there were 700 complaints from policemen who had problems regarding transfers and promotions, besides instances of political victimisation. He said in addition there were over 1000 complaints about excesses committed by police officers. Mr. Wijayaratne said that the resignation of Dr. Wijeweera will not hamper the work of the Commission as there will be a quorum to carry on with the work. But other sources said that more than the work what had been affected was the credibility of the Police Commission. |
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