12 September 2024 07:21 am Views - 77
By Jamila Husain
Plans are underway to keep security beefed up islandwide following the post-election period in order to maintain law and order and uphold democracy, the Daily Mirror learns.
A senior defence source said that while police officers will be deployed in several areas of the country, Tri Force personnel will also remain on standby in case if security needs to be heightened further following election day on September 21.
A senior police officer said that on election day and throughout the post-election period, security will be primarily managed by the Police and the Special Task Force (STF), with the armed forces on standby to assist if necessary.
The Chief of Defence Staff has reportedly instructed all security force commanders to ensure that military forces are ready to provide support upon request from the Sri Lanka Police.
Earlier, the police said that in preparation for the upcoming Presidential election, approximately 54,000 police officers will be deployed from its force of 77,000 to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
The police personnel will be stationed across the country to manage polling stations, counting centres, oversee the transportation of ballot boxes, and address any potential disturbances, ensuring that the election proceeds without incidents.
The Daily Mirror learns that following the end of voting on September 21, groups will not be allowed to gather outside polling centers or even the counting centers till the results are announced and security will remain heightened at several key areas of Colombo city.