Taking policy decisions during election time is not an accepted norm : UNP GS

By Yohan Perera  

Expressing concern about the establishment of Task force on Building a Secured Country disciplined, Virtuous and Lawful Society, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam yesterday said taking such policy decisions is not an accepted practice during election time.  

“ During an election period,  the accepted practice is that no major policy decisions are taken while no new organisation is established unless when faced with grave circumstances,” Mr. Kariyawasam said in a special statement.“ Establishment of this task force shows that President has chosen to ignore the norms.  
“ Functions of this task force cannot be considered to be of an urgent nature. Many of these issues that are to be tackled by the task force are national policy issues that should not be discussed during the election period”.  “Apart from the IGP and to DIGs , the composition of the task force is made up of retired or serving members of the armed forces,” he added.  

UNP General Secretary questioned as to why five intelligence agencies are required to serve in this task force. The chief of the national intelligence services is tasked with coordinating all other intelligence agencies in the country, and as such his presence alone in the task force is sufficient.  

UNP also raised the issue of the absence of DIG in charge of narcotics unit, the commissioner general of prisons, Commissioner General of Immigration and Emigration , Attorney General, Sri Lanka Bar Association, Ministry of Health and other relevant medical officers. Mr. Kariyawasam said the activities of the task force should be handled by civil bureaucracy.