Six police officers in Ratnapura were interdicted yesterday following Wednesday’s attack on UNP’s Chief Ministerial candidate Ranjan Ramanayake, while the Army has been called in to maintain law and order in the Sabaragamuwa Province, a senior police official said yesterday.
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| Ramanayake |
Sabaragamuwa DIG Upali Hewage said one sub inspector, a sergeant and four constables were interdicted on disciplinary grounds, including neglect of duty. He said officers at the sub station in the area where the attack took place could have avoided it if they had informed Mr. Ramanayake of the UPFA meeting that was in progress further up the road and advised him to take an alternative route.
DIG Hewage said the interdiction of the six officers would serve as a lesson for other officers at sensitive times such as this.
He urged all candidates to act with responsibility and within the election laws to help prevent similar problems.
DIG Hewage said many of the candidates of all parties were violating the laws and the police were finding it difficult to control the situation.
He said the biggest offence was the use of vehicle convoys by candidates and their supporters and this must come to an immediate end. The police have sought help from the Army to stop the movement of such convoys. The Army can prevent them from entering the area at their different check points, DIG Hewage said. | 
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