Says at least 1,000 officers needed for each station

• Millions of rupees due to the workers had not been paid while the machinery belonging ​to the  Corporation in Gintota were being removed
• Mr. Weerasekera dismissed the claim made by MP Weerakody that the police had failed to arrest the person responsible for the scandal at the Plywood Corporation

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

At least a thousand policemen will have to be appointed to each police station, considering the large number of persons against whom arrest warrants have been issued, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekerra told Parliament yesterday.  

 Minister Weerasekera came out with this remark in response to an oral question raised by Government MP Chandima Weerakody in the House last morning.

Mr. Weerasekera dismissed the claim made by MP Weerakody that the police had failed to arrest the person who was responsible for the scandal at the Plywood Corporation where millions of rupees due to the workers had not been paid while the machinery belonging to the  Corporation in Gintota were being removed out of the premises during the nights.

The Minister  said the police were unable to arrest the person as he had gone into hiding,

MP Weerakody said that the statement made by the Minister cannot be accepted as the particular person behind a scandal  was a prominent person living a public life.  “ I am dismissing the allegation made by the MP as one will have to appoint thousands of police officers to arrest those large number of people against whom arrest warrants have been issued,” the Minister said. “ The Minister seems to be misled with regard to the  issue,” MP Weerakody said.

• MP Weerakody said that the statement made by the Minister cannot be accepted as the particular person behind a scandal  was a prominent person living a public life