STF Commandant Latiff retires

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Special Task Force Commandant, Senior DIG M.R. Latiff retired yesterday (February 4) after 41 years in service.   
He assumed duties as the STF Commandant on August 19, 2016, and was its 11th Commandant.   

Senior DIG Latiff, was scheduled to retire on February 5 last year, but was given a one-year service extension by the then President Maithripala Sirisena. He joined Sri Lanka Police as a Sub Inspector on January 15, 1979 and joined the STF (which was established on March 1, 1983), on February 7, 1984 as one of its earliest members,.   
During his 41-year-long service, he held the post of Commanding Officer, Director of Terrorism Investigation Division and Director of VIP Protection prior to being appointed as the STF Commandant in 2016.   

In addition to his duties as the STF Commandant, SDIG Latiff was also appointed to be in-charge of the Crimes, Organised Crimes and Narcotics Prevention Division and contributed towards the eradication of the drug menace from the country.   

Under his leadership, over 1,000 kilogrammes of heroin, cannabis and large stocks of refuse tea were seized by the STF during raids carried out across the country.  

 A mammoth heroin haul of 278kg valued at more than Rs.3,336 million which was the largest haul of heroin in Sri Lanka, was seized from Dehiwala in a joint operation carried out by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and the Special Task Force (STF).   

Following his many contributions, he was awarded the Janadhipathi Police Weeratha Padakkama, Police Weeratha Padakkama, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, Vishishta Seva Padakkama, President’s Inauguration Medal, 125th Anniversary Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, East Humanitarian Operation Medal, First Aid Medal and 150th Anniversary Medal.