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120 OICs appointed sans interview

20 May 2022

  • Letter by IGP to Public Security Ministry Secy. notes 
  • 3 Interviewees not recommended for post, yet appointed as OICs
  • 34 Inexperienced cops appointed as OICs to A1/A2/A3 Police Stations, another 19 with experience appointed to same sans due process   
  • Public Security Ministry Secy. says IGP advised to make necessary arrangements 
BY Dinitha Rathnayake  In a letter addressed to the Public Security Ministry Secretary, (Retd.) Maj. Gen. Jagath Alwis, dated 6 December 2021, written by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne, the latter has stated that out of the 184 Police officers appointed to the post of Officer-In-Charge (OIC) during the period of 1 January 2021 to 3 November 2021, 120 have not appeared for an interview. In addition, the letter states that three officers who participated in the interview and were not recommended for the post of OIC, have also been appointed to the post. The IGP said in the letter to the Public Security Ministry Secretary that 13 officers who have no experience and have also not held the post of the OIC at any Police station have been appointed for A1 or A2 Police stations as OICs and that another 21 such officers have been appointed as OICs in A3 Police stations at the same time. A total of 19 officers who held the rank in “B” or “C” grade Police stations have also been appointed as OICs of A2 and A1 grades simultaneously, without due process. The letter explaining the administration of the Police, stated that the appointment of OICs is via a confidential letter sent to the Public Security Ministry Secretary. It states that the post of the OIC is the most important post in maintaining law and order as well as maintaining discipline in the Police station.  The IGP has also stated in the letter that the post has a number of unique responsibilities. The letter also states that it is imperative to appoint qualified officers to the post of OIC in order to bridge the gap between the expected role and the capacity of the incumbent. Meanwhile, Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police and Attorney-at-Law (AAL) Nihal Thalduwa, speaking to The Morning, said that he is unable to comment on the particular letter and that it is better to inquire from the Public Security Ministry Secretary. When contacted, Public Security Ministry Secretary, (Retd.) Maj. Gen. Jagath Alwis said that he had already responded to the letter by advising to make the necessary arrangements concerning the issue and that he is surprised as to why this letter was not leaked before and why his response to the letter was not in the media.


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