Herath pledges swift measures to restore public confidence on Police

25 September 2024 01:23 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 13 Bookmark

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Colombo, September 25 (Daily Mirror) - New Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath said that he hopes to implement swift measures to maintain law and order and to ensure the police operate independently without political interferences.

Herath officially assumed office today as the Minister of Public Security.

He said that the most pressing issue currently facing the Ministry is the issuing of passports.

He said that steps are already being taken to solve the passport issue.

"Discussions are underway to eliminate the passport queues as much as possible. The new passport system will be introduced between October 15 and 20. I hope to address this issue by that time. I have also informed the authorities to submit proposals for alternative methods to expedite the process," he said.

Herath acknowledged the public's diminished trust on the police and stressed the importance of restoring that confidence.

"As the new Minister, along with my secretary and senior police officers, we bear the responsibility to ensure that the public believes in the Sri Lanka Police. I know rebuilding trust will take time," he said.

The Minister urged senior police officers to address any previous wrongdoings in enforcing law and order.

The Minister also urged senior police officers to rectify if there were any previous wrongdoings while implimenting law and order.

"I will give officers the freedom to act independently in upholding law and order. There should be no political interferences. We guarantee that our government Ministers and MPs will not contact police OICs to influence them," he said.

The Minister said that transfers and appointments within the police should be based solely on service and administrative needs and not due to political requirements.

"The police have the responsibility of performing their duties and enforce the law impartially, without favouring anyone. Even if someone close to us has done something wrong, the law must be applied equally to everyone," he said.

Comments - 13

Denys Wednesday, 25 September 2024 01:40 PM

Appoint Shani to head the CID so that he can complete the investigations He Was working on.This should be a priority to the great leader AKD

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Send A Stern Message To All Wrong Doer’s Wednesday, 25 September 2024 02:32 PM

Totally agree with @ Denys. Need those honest officers who were sidelined by previous regimes back into the force and “whistleblow” the trouble makers with concrete evidence. Once it’s established there is a case of wrongdoing, immediately prosecute them in the courts accordingly. If they claim trial, impose very very stern sentences once found guilty. If they admit their crime, pay back any illegal funds taken / collected by them and impose reasonable sentences. Need to eradicate the culture of crime and corruption moving forward in all government agencies especially in the Security Service’s.

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Judge Wednesday, 25 September 2024 01:44 PM

Let's see. Haven't you appointed someone as Secretary of your Ministry who has been charged with drink driving? Look around my friend. Remember, there is a honeymoon period, which you are in now. Don't wrong foot things. Don't forget what happened to Gota.

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Premasiri Wednesday, 25 September 2024 02:18 PM

Don't forget NPP has no big pool to get a suitable person to be secretary to public security ministry. Drunk driving is not a big offence to diminish the profile of the official concerned as he has been in the Police for over 30 years with a good record.

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Krish Wednesday, 25 September 2024 01:49 PM

Well he is saying all the right things. But what will happen in practice. Let's wait and see. We want to see clear indications of the changes that we expected. Transparency, accountability, and independent and impartial application of law and order. We have high hopes on these. There is a reason we took this risk.

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sumo Wednesday, 25 September 2024 02:44 PM

I could not have put it better myself. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. I hope the risk the people of this country took pays off.

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Hercules Wednesday, 25 September 2024 02:23 PM

Herculean task

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Waiting Game Wednesday, 25 September 2024 06:15 PM

Building trust is done through actions and not words. Many promises have been made by everyone and whoever lies the best wins in politics. Since this JVP government is very new and is established on the ideology of a party with a history of being notoriously corrupt and violent rebels, starting from the 1970s, there is a lot of uncertainty at this stage. The only reason JVP won is that the people voted in anger to teach mainstream political parties a lesson. However, by doing so they cut the nose to spite the face. Now we all wait in limbo and uncertainty.

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Rakitha W Thursday, 26 September 2024 07:00 AM

The JVP, now NPP, as I see, has significantly evolved from its radical past into a reform-oriented party focused on *accountability and *transparency, two factors alien to previous governments. Its rise reflects a legitimate response to public disillusionment with traditional political parties, as we seek genuine change. I agree that some uncertainty exists, but the party offers potential for positive reform, making it essential to embrace this opportunity for a more accountable and responsive government. Don't you think it's a risk we must take- maybe the proverbial 'leap of faith' - to progress?

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Citizens Wednesday, 25 September 2024 07:07 PM

First, ease the burden of cost of living of the people! Police can wait!!

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Tissa Fernando Thursday, 26 September 2024 05:24 AM

Reducing cost of living was a promise to get the votes. It is not possible to do do without proper economics revival. Right mow focus appear to be petty stuff like Presidential kitchen , government vehicles, etc. Once the serious issues emerge, difficult decisions will need to be taken because there are do many free loaders in the country.

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Gabriella Wednesday, 25 September 2024 07:20 PM

Let's start with making the consequences for taking a bribe so drastic that the very thought becomes inconceivable. Let's also pay people a living wage so they don't have to resort to these practices to survive.

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Tissa Fernando Thursday, 26 September 2024 05:19 AM

Please make sure that the police does not misuse their powers and also give severe punishment to those who take bribes.

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