President’s Secretary directs Ministry to provide Police personnel for election duties – EC Chairman

The President’s Secretary has informed the Secretary of the Public Security Ministry under the directive of the President, to take necessary measures to provide the required Police personnel to conduct the Presidential Election without any obstacles and with maximum security.

This is in response to the request in writing that was put forward by the Election Commission on Tuesday (30) to the President’s Secretary for the appointment of an Inspector General of Police (IGP) or an  Acting IGP to ensure the smooth conducting of Presidential Election, Election Commission Chairman R. M. A. L. Rathnayake said.

Rathnayake speaking to the media said yesterday (31) that the Election Commission had convened a meeting yesterday (31) with the Public Security Ministry Secretary and the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) in charge of election activities to hold a discussion regarding the Police duties and activities for the Presidential Election.

The Election Commission Chairman addressing the media said that the National Election Commission does not have the power to nominate an IGP.

The Election Commission decided to intervene in the matter of appointing an IGP after concerns were raised regarding holding the Presidential Election scheduled for September 21, that it may face obstacles with regards to the deployment of required Police personnel to provide security and other duties, after the Supreme Court issued an order last week restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon from exercising powers, functions and responsibilities of the office of IGP.

Public Security Ministry Secretary Viyani Gunathilaka has expressed his agreement to the Election Commission to provide all necessary security for the upcoming Presidential Election.

Public Security Ministry Secretary Viyani Gunathilaka and the Senior DIG in charge of election affairs, Asanka Karawita were called to the Election Commission office and Gunathilaka expressed this agreement after a discussion with the Election Commission yesterday evening.

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