In yet another about turn, the National Police Commission (NPC) reversed its decision on the transfers of top cops implicated in the Kurunegala sterilisation scare last Friday.
Acceding to the recommendations of the Acting IGP Chandana Wickremaratne, the Police Commission transferred Kurunegala DIG Kithsiri Jayalath and SP Mahinda Dissanayake to Puttalam and Kantale respectively.
Our lead story last week said that the Police Commission reversed its decision to transfer the two cops within a matter of hours, despite a damning report by the Acting IGP on the conduct of Jayalath and Dissanayake. The IGP specifically informed the Commission in a two-page letter that the two cops at the centre of the manufactured scandal targeting a Muslim medical officer would obstruct investigations if they remained in the station.
The Sunday Observer lead story also revealed that the NPC had acted on a complaint against the CID’s handling of the Dr Shafi investigation, within a matter of hours, sending instructions to the IGP the very same day that the complaint was received.
The Police Commission also turned down the IGP’s recommendation to transfer DIG, CID, B.R.S.R. Nagahamulla and replace him with DIG P.K.D. Priyantha who currently heads the Financial Crimes Investigations Department (FCID).
However, following concerns being raised about the conduct of the NPC and its own role in the communally charged Kurunegala scandal, the NPC ordered the transfers in line with the IGP’s recommendations.
DIG Nagahamulla has also been transferred to Trincomalee and DIG Priyantha will take over as DIG CID.
Last week, JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake speaking in Parliament commented on the NPC’s questionable behaviour. According to the MP, the media had reported that a certain DIG was transferred but awhile later it was announced that the transfers had been halted. “People are questioning if decisions are being changed due to political pressure,” Ratnayake said.
“The decisions taken by the NPC in an irresponsible manner reflects negatively on the Constitutional Council which appoints the NPC and its members,” Ratnayake said addressing Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. He also asked Jayasuriya, if he as the Chairman of the Constitutional Council, would request for a report from the NPC on the matter. Responding to the MP, the Speaker said the issue of transfers was discussed with the NPC Chairman and the Acting IGP. “We will receive a report on this shortly,” he said, adding that he too has advised the NPC that the sudden changes may give people a different view of the matter.