NPC applies brake on move to transfer one-third of OICs during election time

• Interviews canceled after the IGP admitted procedural faults

The National Police Commission (NPC) has turned down a move by Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was recently barred by the Supreme Court from functioning as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to transfer one-third of Officers-In-Charge (OICs) of Police Stations across the country ahead of the Presidential Election, according to a statement from the NPC.  

The NPC noted that there are 607 police stations and the OICs of one-third of them were sought to be transferred.  

“The NPC observed that it is not advisable to carry out such a large number of transfers when the Presidential Election is about to be held and decided not to give approval for that request,” the statement said.  
“The NPC gave its approval to conduct interviews in accordance with the approved transfer policy of the Sri Lanka Police for the appointment of Officers-In-Charge of Police Stations where there are vacancies since 2023. The Inspector General of Police was informed to proceed accordingly. The NPC observed that the interviews conducted by the IGP had not been conducted following the proper procedure in accordance with the approved transfer policy of the Sri Lanka Police, and the National Police Commission decided to suspend the interview so held and the decision was communicated to the Inspector General of Police.  

After having informed the said decision, the Inspector General of Police admitted that the interviews had not been held following the proper procedure and made a request with a recommendation to the National Police Commission to cancel the interview. In consideration of that request, the NPC decided to cancel the interview held.  
Accordingly, the NPC has continuously taken steps to give necessary instructions and orders to the Inspector General of Police to follow the proper legal and administrative regulations concerning the appointment of Officers-In-Charge of Police Stations. The NPC met on July 11, 2024, and analytically studied all the matters regarding the transfer requests and recommendations submitted again by the IGP on transfers of 210 Officers-In-Charge of Police Stations.  

However, the NPC considered the request made regarding the officers with bad reports to remove 17 Officers-In-Charge of Police Stations from their posts and send them for normal duties on disciplinary grounds. Out of those requests, the NPC considered only the matters submitted on 14 Officers-In-Charge of Police Stations and removed them from their posts as Officers-In-Charge of Police Stations on disciplinary grounds with immediate effect, sending them for normal duties,” it said.