Herath pledges swift measures to restore public confidence on Police

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.