Public respect for the police was restored by the Yahapalana government, Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development, Sagala Ratnayake told guests at the passing out parade of 476 junior police officers at the Police Training College, Kalutara.
Among the officers who passed out were 275 Tamil Police constables and seven Tamil Women Police Constables.
According to the Minister, the facilities and equipment of the Police department were not upgraded for decades as the main focus of past governments was on the separatist war.
“Officers had to face many obstacles such as reduced training periods,” he said, adding that they have even had to face serious issues regarding promotions. The Minister noted that the Police was again ignored in the post-war period as well.
However, the Minister said the Yahapalana government has taken steps to improve the Department while developing facilities offered to officers. He said the rehabilitation process of the Police has now commenced with the government also looking into various promotion issues within the force. The Minister promised to resolve the accommodation issues while also providing other facilities for the officers.
“Our intention is to create a force that protects the law,” the Minister said.