IGP’s list rejected: Lanka loses UN jobs

An alleged dispute among senior police officers has put a road block on an opportunity given by the United Nations for 58 officers, including SSP, to join the peacekeeping force in East Timor.

The Sunday Times learns that the examination to select the 58 officers was delayed and finally held only after the closing date had passed.

An Australian peacekeeper detains an East Timorese youth during clashes in Dili, on Thursday. AFP

Initially, Police Chief Chandra Fernando had recommended 58 officers for the UN peacekeeping jobs, but The Sunday Times learns the Defence Ministery rejected the list after Senior DIG Victor Perera who is in charge of Police Human Resources questioned the eligibility of these officers. He claimed the officers were selected without a test or consultations.

DIG. Perera told The Sunday Times that after objections were raised the Defence Ministry rejected the list. Thereafter DIG (Legal) J. Thangavelu was instructed to prepare a question paper for the prospective candidates and 290 officers were called to sit the examination held at Asoka Vidyalaya. They were tested in English language and computer skills.

But it was all too late and the only hope now is an appeal made by the police department for the UN to consider late applications.