20 December 2023 09:05 pm Views - 1109
Colombo, Dec. 20 (Daily Mirror)- The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday observed that no officer who has violated Fundamental Rights or criminal cases against him or any allegations of involvement in unlawful activity should be appointed to the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The BASL further observed that the appointment of the IGP should be done in a transparent manner so as to establish public confidence in the appointment process.
The BASL is also of the view that prior to the approval of the appointment of the IGP that the procedures to be followed in regard to recommendations or approvals for appointments under Article 41B or 41C should be determined by the Constitutional Council as provided for in Article 41E (6) of the Constitution.
While referring the outcome of the recent Supreme Court judgment which ordered Acting IGP and three other police officers to pay compensation out of their personal funds to a petitioner for violating his fundamental rights, the BASL urged that no officer who has violated Fundamental Rights or criminal cases against him or any allegations of involvement in unlawful activity be appointed to the office of the IGP.
The BASL maintained that the next permanent appointment of IGP should be an officer whose service in the police force is exemplary and free of any blemish and able to restore public confidence in the Sri Lanka Police.
The media statement in this regard had been issued by BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne and its Secretary Isuru Balapatabendi.