• It is the police that should implement the law and not the gunmen, the DIG said

By Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Senior DIG, Southern Province Ajith Rohana said 13 murders had been reported from the Southern Province from June 1 to date and that he was prepared to face the challenge of gunmen.  

Addressing the ceremony on Monday (05) organized by the police officers in the province to mark the 156th Police Day, he said it was the police that should implement the law and not the gunmen.   

“It is a misconception that the Southern Province is facing a wave of crimes, and in fact only clashes between rival groups result in killing the killers. It is not a chain of crimes as reported by the media. The suspects in five out of 13 murders reported from June 01 have been arrested. Four of these murders had originated from one incident. A suspect in a murder case had been shot dead by a rival. The murders reported from Tangalle and Ahangama were linked to contraband trade of drug trafficking. However the police are prepared to face this challenge. At present the STF and a police contingent have been deployed to maintain law and order in Ambalangoda area” The Senior DIG said.  

 He further said that he had studied the history of criminals for three decades to find that any criminal had not died a natural death and that they could never have relief by killing another.  
Several police officers were rewarded for their outstanding services. The officers who arrested the main suspect Makandure Madush and others involved in the murder of former Chairman of the Southern Development Authority were among them.  

JMO Matara hospital Dr. Sumith Ambepitiya, Divisional Secretary Kaushalya Kumari and several senior police officials were present at the occasion.    

• Says it is a misconception that the Southern Province is facing a wave of crimes