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Won’t give up
The tug-of-war between Police Chief Indra de Silva -- who has only eleven days to end his job -- and the National Police Commission goes on. Recently the NPC wrote to all Senior DIGs and DIGs, both territorial and functional, asking them to forward details of anomalies in the recent promotions to the rank of Police Sergeants and Sub Inspectors.

Angered by the move, Mr. de Silva has delivered a message to all the DIGs. He says:"It is learnt that the letter bearing number NPC/COM/O1/4 dated 01.09.2004 signed by Mr. Sumudu de Silva, Deputy Secretary (Legal) NPC and Secretary to the APT Committee, has (Note: been is missing in the original letter) dispatched to you by name requesting you to furnish particulars regarding the promotions of the Officers to the ranks of Police Sergeants and Sub Inspectors.

"I request that your reply shall follow the Administrative Live Command of the Police." The Police Chief wanted the recipients to not only comply with his request but also acknowledge his message.

In other words what the outgoing Police Chief had told his deputies is that they cannot deal directly with the NPC. Such a dialogue should be conducted through him.

As one irate DIG, who wanted to remain anonymous remarked, before our response goes to the NPC, the IGP will be out of his job. It will now fall on the incoming incumbent, senior DIG Chandra Fernando to forward such reports. Mr. Fernando's name has already been recommended for the post of IGP by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. This was before she left Colombo to address the UN General Assembly sessions.

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