The Opposition Leader stated that, as mentioned on page 126 of the Constitution, commissions are established to strengthen independence, impartiality, and efficiency, to depoliticize institutions, and to promote good governance. He further noted that the 17th and 19th Amendments to the Constitution have empowered the country’s police service to function impartially and independently through a system of checks and balances. (Sri Lanka Latest News)
He emphasized that the transfer of powers within the police service has now been placed in a single hand — that of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) — and warned that Sri Lanka is not a police state but a democratic nation. Therefore, he stressed the importance of maintaining checks and balances within the system.
“The Police Commission cannot be a puppet or a tool of the government. As the Opposition, we strongly oppose the transfer of the Police Commission’s powers into the sole hands of the Inspector General of Police,” said Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in Parliament today.
