CC stalls approval for Police chief extension, legal ambiguity looms

IGP Crisis

• Mr. Wickramaratne has been given four extensions 
• CC unable to reach a consensus
• Tiran Alles insistent on appointing Deshabandu  Tennakoon

By Kelum Bandara 

The Constitutional Council (CC) appears to be divided, with  the majority of members declining to approve the reappointment of Mr.  C.D. Wickramaratne as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Daily  Mirror learns.  The government has failed to make a permanent appointment  since March, this year because of differences between President Ranil  Wickremesinghe and Public Security Minister Tiran Alles on the next  police officer to be picked for the post. Mr. Alles is insistent on the  appointment of senior DIG (Deputy Inspector General) of Deshabandu  Tennakoon whereas the President is opposed to him.  

It resulted in Mr. Wickramaratne being recalled for service  after retirement. He has been given extensions for four times now.   The latest extension for three weeks was given on November 3.  However, the CC was unable to reach a consensus yesterday to approve the  extension granted by the President in his capacity as the appointing  authority. 

Daily Mirror learns that all three civil society  members, backed by a few others, were opposed to the extension. As a  result, the CC will meet today for the second time to decide finally  on the matter.  

 Also, there is a legal ambiguity whether the service  extension granted by the President is valid without the CC approval or  not in terms of the Constitution.   

The CC is a ten-member body. Its members are Speaker  Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Opposition  Leader Sajith Premadasa, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, MP  Sagara Kariyawasam, Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, Dr. (Mrs) Dilkushi Anula  Wijesundere, Dr. (Mrs) Dinesha Samararatne and MP Kabir Hasheem. One  post still remains vacant.