MS should take control of Police

The UPFA called on President Maithripala Sirisena to take over the Police Department under his wing using his Constitutional powers as the Defence Minister at least until the conclusion of the Parliamentary polls as the law and order in the country was deteriorating fast.

Former Deputy Minister and Colombo District UPFA candidate Thilanga Sumathipala addressing the media at the SLFP head office yesterday charged that three poll related murders had occurred by yesterday in addition to over 300 incidents of violence and the Police Department and Public Order and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga had failed to arrest the fast worsening situation.

Mr. Sumathipala alleged that Minister Amaratunga must take the responsibility for the brutal murder of the UPFA supporter M. Naushad by a rival gang early last morning at Mabole, Wattala.

He was hacked to death by his political rivals as he had let the UPFA to use his property for election campaigning.

“Wattala is Minister Amaratunga’s political territory. It is his twin responsibility as Minister of Public Order and the political authority in the area to take stock of the law and order situation and prevent any election related violence. He has failed to do it and the Police Department seems to be inactive to act fast and apprehend the suspects,” Sumathipala said.

He said Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake had engaged underworld characters for his election propaganda work and the shooting on Friday (31) killed two and injured more than a dozen of his (Ravi’s) supporters.

He said that the incident had taken place while Karunanayake was canvassing at Bloemendhal Road with more than 100 supporters, in violation of the election laws.

Sumathipala accused the government and the defence authorities of providing STF security to ministers