Police officers tell Ranil: ‘POLITICIANS INTERFERE IN OUR ACTIVITIES’
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the police informed him that they were unable to net the drug dealers because of politicians who interfere in their activities.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was speaking during the opening of ‘Lakhiru Sevana’ housing scheme in Maligawatte last evening said that he together with Former Minister of Law and Order Sagala Ratnayake summoned all police officers to a meeting and asked them what is preventing them from busting drug rackets. He said they informed him that it was the politicians who are preventing them from taking action.
“The police officer suggested that I advise the Ministers and MPS not to call the police and request such and such person be released,” he said.
“We then had fruitful discussions with the police and formed a special unit under D. I. G. Latiff to suppress the distribution of drugs. Later in 2017 I inquired from the police as to how they were doing with regard to apprehending drug dealers. They informed me that they are managing things well,” the Prime Minister added.
“This is the story behind the current busting of drug rackets during the past few days. No one knew the truth about it,” he said
Mr. Wickremesinghe said independent commissions such as police commission is essential to get rid of drugs. “we enacted the 19th Amendment to ensure that there is a safe society.the results of our efforts are visible now,” he said,
The Prime Minister said it is ironical to see those who raised their hands to approve it are opposing the Judiciary and other independent commissions. “i will not allow those bankrupt politicians to destroy independent commissions,” he stressed.