Police promotion and pension for state minister

TPoliceman-turned-politician Palitha Range Bandara has had many a brush with the law since he switched professions.

The state minister is now in for some good news – the former Inspector of Police is likely to be promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police. That will not mean he will join the active ranks but he will receive a pension and possibly a commuted amount too for the period he did not get paid.

After he made representations to the Political Victimisation Committee, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to consider his request. This will be in consulta- he promotion of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, it appears, is the exclusive preserve of the Minister in charge – John Ameratunga.

Going by the entourage he takes along on his overseas visits, the first priority seems to be to the immediate circle made up of family and friends.

Mr. Ameratunga was in Spain for a tourism conference last week. He was accompanied by his private secretary and tion with the National Police Commission.

A precedent has already been set ear- lier by two more policemen-turned-politicians. One is the late M.K.D.S. Gunawardena, a former Minister. He was a Sub Inspector in the Police. The other is E.K.D. Gunawardena who was also a Sub Inspector. Their requests for promotions were granted. The two were promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). They became entitled to a pension that is paid to ASPs upon retirement. There were also other instances where the Political Victimisation Committee recommended the re-instatement of police officers to active service. Some were given their promotions and received even back wages.