In the backdrop of escalating violence and killings, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his displeasure over the current law and order situation in the country.
Sagala Ratnayaka – Minister of Law & Order
Wickremesinghe has also intimated his displeasure to Minister of Law and Order Sagala Ratnayaka during a meeting. According to reports, Wickremesinghe had told Ratnayaka that there was no point in having gala celebrations to commemorate the 150 anniversary of the police department when the law and order in the country was not upto expectation.
His comments came soon after the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Sulaiman who was murdered last week. Soon after the murder, Wickremesinghe had ordered Ratnayaka and IGP Pujith Jayasundara to submit a report on the incident to him.
Wickremasinghe is also expected to meet with senior members of the police, including the IGP to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
Backlash / August 29, 2016
Kidnapping, murder, ransom are making a come-back since the Rajapakse days when his favourites like Kudu Mervin and the like made the Police look like captive fools. The other day when Kudu Mervin walked with his hoods in the company of his rowdy son to Courts his sarcastic remarks to TV made a mockery of our process of justice, law and order. The new IGP Pujitha J appears keen to clean the system.
That Kudu Mervin and his son walk free itself is an indictment of our poor system of policing and governance. The power and influence of the illicit Drug industry insults our Buddhist-majority land. How is that Kudu Duminda, Kudu Dimu the VVIP are also free?
Backlash
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paddy / August 29, 2016
When all the evidence is placed in front of you re Thajudeen’s killing and yet you hesitate to put the perpetrators behind bars, then you should expect more killings like this to take place.
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JUstice & Fairplay / August 30, 2016
The most effective way to instill law and order would be to FAST TRACK the murderers of Thajudeen and Lasantha and send them away for long stretches at Welikada. Long stretches.
Nothing discourages crime than punishment. The Prime Minister SHOULD know that.
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Native Vedda / August 30, 2016
JUstice & Fairplay
When you have a parallel government controlled by Mafia heads and crime syndicates which include powerful politicians, state functionaries, policemen, … rich businessmen fast tracking can appear effective though the end result will be the same.
The criminals acquire more power as the day goes by.
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Justice & Fairplay / August 31, 2016
NV,
I am not sure what exactly you mean by this “parallel government” but are you trying to suggest that you disagree with the thinking that the government should crack the whip and ask for speeding up all processes so that miscreants, murderers, drug peddlers, sleaze artists and such undesirables could be put away?
I think as the Civil Society we need to apply a lot of pressure to ensure that this government stays on course. That is our duty.
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Native Vedda / August 31, 2016
Justice & Fairplay
All what I am saying is there is the government democratically elected by more people than the opposition.
There is an invisible parallel government which is well connected networked, lubricated and decides ultimate implementations of all policies and laws. At times selective implementation of both. The parallel government does not have permanent structure but act and react as and when the need arises (obviously for when illegality is involved). It include crooked politicians, policemen, state functionaries, members of legal fraternity, filthy rich, local government officials ………… Mafia dons, …..
Think about the process by which criminals, politicians and corrupt officials are being protected and rewarded by the state.
It is about mastering the art of “you scratch my back I scratch yours”.
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Bagehot / August 29, 2016
The new IGP (idiotic general of police) is only interested in boosting his public image as anyone who visits his facebook page or listens to his stupid three hour speeches can see. The entire police department is already fed up of this seemingly dangerous chap who clearly has political ambitions. Good luck expecting him to fix anything!
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Patriot / August 29, 2016
Maradana Chopped is busy bending the rules to figure out how to screw all MR’s people. In the meantime all the Under World figures who left the Country out of fear of Gota’s crack down are back now. They are busy settling old scores. UNP thrived with the thugs now they are haunting them. Sa Gala cannot do much and Ranil’s solution should be to seek Indian help and get the Delhi police like the Indian Ambulance.
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Burning Issue / August 30, 2016
Patriot,
Which planet do you live in? I know that you are a fanatical supporter of MR…..
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Samuel Jayaweera / August 29, 2016
Not only RW – we the ones who worked die hard to send the bugger home and start it from the begining are also very unhappy alone when experienced every FCID calls ended up with BAILING OUTS. And not knowing the man with all aggressions in organisizing Padada yathra to collapse in the prison immediately he was arrested – causing him sending to Prison hospital. Latter was the joke that none us would never be able to digest.
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Seelawathie Jayasinghe / August 29, 2016
We too thoughts immediately after the new IGP was appointed, tangible steps towards the proper services of police would have been made – but upto now nothing special becomes clear – not just business men are being murdered, every day,we hear lot more crime incidents happening proving not much is done by any aurhortieis sofar in terms of improvement the situation.
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eldorado / August 29, 2016
Ranil has become unhappy with the law and order situation in the Country after the murder of the Millionaire Businessman. We the people have been unhappy for the last decade and more. That is why we voted this Govt in, to deal with this situation amongst other problematic areas, but it does not seem to have any effect; in fact it has got worse by the day.
So having told the Minister, and the enforcement Authorities, will the law and order scenario become better ? OR is it just another Political
hog wash ?
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Gune / August 29, 2016
The crime rate is of serious concern to the public. It’s quite alarming. One would have expected IGP Pujitha to have acted on this without waiting for the PM to bring it up. This also applies to Sagala R.
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Dunken Leutheuser / August 29, 2016
Lanken net works have become so dangerous regardless of the fields as even hearted efforts block them from proper findings.Else, IGP surely does his best together with his senior men and net work. Police in gneral do their job but much more to be improved in police service.
I believe, police must be given double pay hikes in next step – in order to reward them – then only like bangkok or singapore police they encourage to do the job to the letter. Right at the moment, the economic crises left by Mr Medamulana s mismanagement- will have to wait few more months even to think of the kind of increments. However, I think police shold be given more faclities if crime rates to be handled properly.
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shankar / August 29, 2016
first of all hang all the people who have been on death row within a month.
That should send shock waves and a message to thugs.
get advice from the philipino president after that.
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dayal / August 29, 2016
one thing has to be made clear. one reason for the kind of crimes taking place in the country, such as kidnapping and murder, is that unruly and criminal elements feel that it is possible to get away by managing the police using influence and money. if this is correct, corrections are inevitable in respect of law enforcement authorities. if they mean business and work with total integrity there will be some order. who has the power and willingness to govern?over to you ‘good governance’.
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sr / August 29, 2016
“Prime Minister has expressed his displeasure over current law and order situation in the country”
People have been doing it for many years hon. sir but they’re helpless.
It’s good to discuss the matter with senior police officers.
People expect both parties (politicians and police) to come forward to share the responsibility.
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Aia / August 29, 2016
Not the talk the talk but walk the walk is required. You arrest hard core criminals and release them in a day or two, then what the message you pass on to the rest of the criminals. Being fairer doesn’t mean softer, and criminals appeared to have mastered the art to tackle the legal system, which is, still operating as gangs but accommodating in it a few politicians or ones whom powerful politicians can listen to. It is a team effort now, cleaver team members are to prosper and less clever are to perish?. Nothing in between.
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colin / August 29, 2016
The Nation is behind you Ranil on this no doubt and its high time the Police be asked to pull up their socks.More stringent punishments could be an answer and measures to re-introduce capital punishment would be an option. After all the US which calls for human rights has it and so does China so why not SL
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Shan / August 29, 2016
As with everything, this government cannot handle law and order. We have an IGP who boasts more than work then soft leadership in the government. Recipe for disaster. Someone soon will start blaming MR for this too.
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Karthigesu M Nirmalan-Nathan / August 30, 2016
Why is he asking for report!! Heads must roll and major resignations are in order. When you praise the perpetrators of blatant murder and rape and there is evidence to say that the armed forces committed those atrocities during the final stages of the bloody civil war, what can one expect. By calling those hoodlums heroes the president himself approves such crimes. Since coming to power what has My3 and Ranil done? Nothing, absolutely sweet fanny Adam was done to curb the crime committed by the uniformed and non-uniformed hoodlums.
This goes back to burning of the Jaffna Library, did the government accept responsibility? NO, a big bloody fat No! Rape and Murder of Premature Manamperi {(1949–1971) was a Kataragama beauty queen who was beaten and murdered in 1971}. Now the gang rape and murder of the School girl Vithiya! the fucking list goes on and on. We have committees coming out of all the bloody orifices. Do something bloody positive for good sake. The current administration is too busy dodging international opinion on one hand and keeping the family of Megalomaniac Mahinda’s family out of the Galois.
Let us have the Impartial international Investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity and send a clear signal. My3 wake the hell up and do your job. Rt Hon. Prime Minister please for the love of god not another fucking committee.
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Thrishu / August 30, 2016
Has RW just woken up? Why did he need the murder of a businessman to wake up? Why was he sleeping throughout the period when there were endless murders during MR regime. Many of those murders were committed by politicians that were bringing votes to MR ….. the most high profile notorious one the murder of Hirunika’s dad by a politician that went off to S’pore to get weals on to his skull artificially. What about the MR’s presidential pardon to that notorious Chief Minister of Sabaragamuwa who was in prison for committing murder. RW was sleeping then, or was his tongue tied by MR using new Merc Benz?
There was murder and mayhem everywhere in the country for 6-solid years and its still continuing. The country side and villages where life had been once peaceful and tranquil, say 10-years ago, now people fear going to bed. You never know when a burglar would enter one’s home, take a matchette from the victim’s own kitchen, wandering around in the house in darkness, ready to chop the head off of anyone that wakes up. That is the state of Sri Lanka today, this Dharma Dweepa. I am truly disgusted; all the temples, churches, kovils and mosques churn up religion bordering on mass hysteria, with talking meditation conducted in massive scale on every Poya Day, Thaipongal, Christmas or Muslim days of great importance, Sri Lanka remains a country with murderers, scaring people and threatening their peace of mind.
Eureka…….. I am delighted that RW has woken up. Now what is he going to do about it?
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Paul / August 30, 2016
.’ I am delighted that RW has woken up. Now what is he going to do about it? ‘
He will appoint a commission and then go back to sleep!
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sr / August 30, 2016
Thrishu
You’re perfectly right Thrishu
It’s not only for the government but also for the opposition, has an almost equal responsibility regarding maintaining law and order.
But due to the greed for power; to come to power next time; directly/indirectly manure anti-social elements to sabotage the rule of law.
Ranil and other opposition members did nothing effective to control malpractices as responsible opposition during previous regime.
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Kugan / August 30, 2016
Ranil not happy with law and order – how about the rest of the country
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truth finder / August 30, 2016
Obviously!
Why did Ranil wake up now, only after a millionaire is killed. What were you doing all this time when the powerless innocent people were getting killed!
This started with the civil wars, abundant arms going round, MARA/GOTA impunity of state backed impunity and an un-professional police lacking professional expertise! What can Sagala do? Ranil’s policy that lawyers are professionals is a poor argument! A few are, but not most! This is what happens when vote seeking politicians are in power to decide on policies and strategies? Where are the professional?
“Good Governance”!!
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vs / August 30, 2016
The whole of the police is there to safeguard the interests of the corrupt criminal politicians thanks to MR. The police commission and JSC is there to safeguard the criminal activity. This is the Law and order situation in the country. Ordinary citizen is harassed.
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The Oracle / August 30, 2016
I guess everything to do with law and order was going extremely well until the
” multi millionaire ” was murdered- allegedly by his relatives .Sadly, everything seems to be driven by politics, and the vote .
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Ravindra Perera / August 30, 2016
I Guess this is the way a typical UNP Led government run.All the thugs are
back and all of them are triving.Remember the days of Bhishanaya yugeya where
we found dead and burning bodies.I remember the Batalanda Torture chambers.Asking Batalanda Ranil to clean up street of the Thugs and murderers is like asking the robbers mother where his son is.Gota tried to clean up by whatever methods he was able to.Now he is no longer there thugs are triving
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Dunken Leutheuser / August 30, 2016
Ravindra, I am not sure you have mixed up your orificeS not knowing the ground realities.Some do so in today world to be good books on some guys.
More of thoese thugs have been either naturally dead or brutally assasinated. Last troika remained is RW. All others are new faces with higher credentials in various sections. If you the ilk would compare them with the bunch that led insurgency in 89- that should be through lack or proper knowledge.
Gotas entired body is soaked by the blood of innocient folks – Gota has no whatsoever right to even discuss lanken human rights issues. Last night having studied the archives going back to the days of Lasantha Asssaisinations and the related, I realized myself, no doubt, Gotabaya should have instipulated guys from Army forces to shoot Lasantha on his head at broad day light. Today these men not caring whatthe people would think, have been abused Temples … calling them ane amuduruwane, but the gravity of harm arbitorily done by the men are larger than anyones in the south asia. They are blood suckers but pretending to be so called patriots.
These the kind of men are found in every populations, but not many would have guts do go for it unless head of states would agree. In this context, Gotabaya had all the facilities to go for it whenever his abusive mind set permitted it.
People are innocient – they are gulliable- they can easily be tamed getting and kind of gifts being offered to them. They bend to anyone and everyone. That is the naivity and tendency of their mind sets. Buddhism the philosphoy has made average people so gulliable…. naive… as no other folks… some times intoxicated to the mann IS adherents would do …
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AshyD / August 30, 2016
Lawlessness by some individuals is getting out of hand. It is time to bring a strong personality to head the Law & Order ministry.
Though many may have reservations about it, Sarath Fonseka might be a good bet and the Government may have to seek even the “Devil” if we are to bring the situation under control.
As for the suspicions about Sarath Fonseka’s role in certain criminal acts, these cases could be brought under the Prime Minister till it’s conclusion which would also be an opportunity to enable Sarath Fonseka to clear his name if he has had nothing to do with those dastardly acts especially the cold blooded murder of Lasantha Wickrematunga.
Soldiers are enlisted into an army and are trained to “KILL” and not to go and “KISS” the enemy. KILLING the optimum amount of combatants on the other side is what will “WIN A WAR”.
General George C.Patton of the US Army in a famous speech he made to his troops, during World War II said – Quote: “You have to make the other bugger die for his country if you are to win the war for your country”.
Soldiers are armed and equipped with the latest and most sophisticated weapons to cause maximum damage to life and property of the enemy, hence killing is a vital part in warfare.
Likewise LAWLESSNESS is also another war waged by criminals on the innocent, hence giving any leverage to such individuals should be set aside and they should be meted out the appropriate justice.
The President of Philippines has set the ball rolling with his “WAR ON DRUGS”, and thousands of drug dealers, pushers and addicts have sort refuge in the country’s slammers, to be safe from the crackdown.
Amnesty International, Human Rights watch etc are making a very big hue and cry but there is no signs that the Head of state in Philippines would relent.
When the LTTE were cornered some Western countries also tried to arm twist MR, which he relented and let the wagon roll and for that all Sri Lankans must be grateful to him, likewise we may have to do the same thing with our handful of criminals.
Sarath Fonseka won the war against terrorism, he may be able to do the same with our criminals too, hence giving him the spoon to dish out the medicine that criminals understand would not be a bad idea.
Bringing the “Death penalty” back and dangling it like the “Sword of Damocles” over the head of these criminals would also be another option after all soldiers are given the license to kill on the battlefield and this is also another battlefield which is taking Sri Lanka down an abyss that would be very difficult for us to come back from.
The Philippines have understood it when all avenues have been lost and we too should follow suit and end this wave of criminality and lawlessness sooner than later.
All law abiding citizens of Sri Lanka will back the Government to the hilt as long as everything is within accepted principles.
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Chedi / August 30, 2016
SAGALA RATNAYAKE IS A REALLY DECENT GUY. BUT NOT THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR MINISTER OF LAW AND ORDER. WOULD SF BE A BETTER CHOICE FOR THIS IMPORTANT MINISTRY? THE IGP TOO NEEDS TO KEEP HIS MUCH PUBLICIZED PROMISES MADE WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED.
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Shantha / August 30, 2016
Do not allow so called “influential” politicians and wealthy businessmen to make that call and demand any suspect be released, train our law enforcement officials to have integrity, be thorough in their work, and punish them for taking any bribes to be lenient with criminals. and change the laws so that criminals are locked up for a long time if found guilty. Do not allow saffron robed thugs to terrorize people, and do not treat them any different to common criminals.
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rew / August 30, 2016
A Minister who can deal with this problem needs to be appointed, not School connections who are not up to it really.
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Lanka Watch / August 30, 2016
This is all due to PM Ranil’s fault. On formation of the new govt.,
there was a hue and cry from the people to get those men involved with
swindling of people’s money, in political murders and who thrived on nepotism and swindled the organizations they worked for, to be put
behind bars using special presidential powers as it was a national issue, like what happened in Turkey, where thousands of wrong doers were locked up overnight but in fact PM protected them from immediate
prosecution and more over, he let them, dabble in politics and they openly worked against the ruling party and spread enough rumours, which could have toppled any govt. but sanity protected the govt.so far.
Secondly, he gave media freedom without supervision, expecting the media to put the wrong things right in the country but it boomeranged. Mushroom media outlets cropped up, supported by opposition forces with the plundered money and the very same outlets,now blasting the govt.
with false reporting and people are now baffled as to whether this govt. is on the right path or the wrong path.
It is useless lamenting on the state of the country and law & order, now, after having played to the gallery. He tried to play ‘Ghandhi’s’
role in uniting opposing forces with the Govt. but it boomeranged.
It is still not too late to recover if the govt. takes some tough measures as regards the law and order, media control and double up
in clearing the arrears and cut down on Govt. spending. People still
have trust in The President and the PM as sincere workers but they lack speed.
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shankar / August 31, 2016
it took a millionaire to be killed for ranil to wake up after one year of the yahapalanaya government.What do we learn from this?Every year a millionaire should be killed,otherwise yahapalanaya will be nidhipalanaya.
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Lasantha / August 31, 2016
how that Ranil can be happy? he is well aware of those culprits in whole sectors. 29 th of august 2016 that UL504 Srilankan airline was delayed more than 11 hours at heathrow terminal 3 due to the pilots disputes with management and paid nearly £640000 for compensation. why that colombotelegraph keep silence in this matter?
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