Military to assist police operations targeting organised crime in Western and Southern provinces

Military personnel will be deployed from today in the Western and Southern provinces in support of police operations targeting narcotics and organised crime. 

A senior police officer told Timesonline that military personnel will be deployed in support of police operations in Western and Southern provinces since the vast majority of crimes connected to organised crime have been reported from these two provinces. 

Meanwhile, police are also working to identify officers within its ranks who have links to organised criminal gangs or are connected to other crimes. These efforts are being taken under the direction of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya. About 50 officers suspected of having links to organised criminal groups, involved in bribery or other crimes have so far been identifed and action will be taken against them following inquiries, the police officer added.