Police and the Public
View(s):Sri Lanka’s Police Department claims to have ‘excellent’ relations with the public but this is not the case as the Business Times discovered this week.
Traffic issues and its management in Colombo have led to scores of congestion in all parts of the city not only during rush hour traffic (school opening and closing times, office opening and closing times) but at other times too. Motorists are increasingly compelled to leave early to keep to appointments and that ‘early leaving time’ keeps changing all the time as traffic snarls envelop the city.
The Business Times invited the Police Department to be a key panellist at the Sunday Times Business Club (STBC) discussion this week. A letter was sent to N.K. Illangakoon, Inspector General of Police, on July 8th, 2013 – more than two weeks ahead of the July 23rd (Tuesday) meeting – requesting that the DIG Traffic or his nominee be represented at the panel discussion. The letter was sent to the IGP after checking the procedure to invite a representative from Police Traffic. Thereafter we were requested to send the letter to Lakshman Hulugalle, Director-General of the Media Centre at the Defence Ministry for his consent as he deals with the media on behalf of the ministry. Mr. Hulugalle then approved the request and forwarded it to the IGP’s office. But by Friday, July 19th there was still no official response or confirmation of attendance to the Business Editor who is also patron of the STBC. On Friday, we called the IGP’s Personal Assistant (who is of DIG rank) about the status of the request only to be told that the concurrence of the MLO (Military Liaison Officer at the Ministry) has to be obtained.
“Shouldn’t you send the letter (to the MLO) and (also) shouldn’t Mr. Hulugalle have advised us about this (procedure)?” I said. “I’m afraid that is the procedure and the concurrence of the MLO has to be obtained (in these kinds of engagements with the public),” the IGP’s PA said. “Since there is hardly enough time for another letter sending process as Monday is Poya and the meeting is on Tuesday, I’m afraid we would have to hold this important discussion on traffic management issues without a representative from the Police Deparment,” I said, ending the call.
Tuesday’s meeting drew many questions about police management issues which required police officials to at least defend the department from the plethora of complaints.One in particular raised by retired DIG (Traffic) Camillus Abeygunawardene was that one of the biggest weaknesses of the police is that they are not motorists and don’t understand the issues faced by motorists. Another issue he said was that traffic management to a large extent is governed by the preference given to VIP movements and other VIP vehicles with scant respect for other users of the road. “I’m afraid the police are under pressure to resort to this action,” he said.
Responding to a query whether there is provision in the law for a citizen’s arrest (in cases where police officers in their vehicles blatantly violate the law), he said the law applies to everyone and during his time public complaints were promptly dealt with and action taken against errant officers.
On Tuesday, the police missed a great opportunity to set the record straight about traffic management issues and also discuss their own issues and dilemmas in tackling road traffic.
Business Editor
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