Deferring a decision by IGP Victor Perera to transfer three police officers in charge of election duties in Trincomalee, the National Police Commission (NPC) has ordered relevant officials to return them to their former posts immediately.
The order was given after a written notice issued by Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake, who said that public officers cannot be transferred during an election period, as it violates certain provisions of the 17th Amendment.
Police Headquarters had transferred ASP Elections S.A. Jayashantha to the Police Higher Training School, Trincomalee Police Headquarters Inspector M.M.C. Bandara to the Police Training School in Kalutara and OIC Kinniya Police, Chaminda Lakmal Perera to the Moneragala Police Division.
When the police transfers were made, Trincomalee’s Assistant Elections Commissioner M.S.K. Bandara Mapa had lodged a complaint with the Elections Commissioner over the move.
The three officers had also filed an appeal with the NPC over their sudden transfers.
Police Spokesman Senior DIG N.K. Illangakoon said that theirs were customary transfers that had nothing to do with the forthcoming polls in the province.
Speaking to the media yesterday (Mar. 25th), Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said that that Elections Commissioner has not ordered the IGP to cancel these transfers, but merely noted that these transfers may not be prudent.
“If the IGP cannot call for transfers as disciplinary measures, the entire department starts to collapse. I think the Elections Commissioner will respect this decision,” Rambukwella added.
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