The saga of extensions being issued to incumbent Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne’s looks set to continue, while dozens of senior Deputy Inspector General’s (DIGs), including a few aspirant candidates look on.  Wickramaratne who has had multiple extensions, had submitted his letter of resignation earlier this year, only to have his wish to retire, be shot down. The confusion over the post of the IGP and whether Wickramaratne will be given the post or not, left the Police Department ‘headless’ for a week or so for the first time in its history, earlier this year.  

With the extended tenure of IGP Wickramaratne coming to an end on 9 October, and no nominations for the post have been referred to the Constitutional Council thus far, another extension is likely to be granted to him. According to the Constitutional Council (CC), the President may nominate a name for the post of IGP, only if an IGP in place is being changed. ““This matter should come to the CC only if a new IGP is to be appointed. There is no need to make such a reference to extend the service of the current IGP. What the CC has to do is to decide if a particular officer is eligible to be appointed as the IGP. Us approving the initial service extensions to Wickramaratne means that he is eligible to hold the post. So, there is no need to ask the CC again” a member of the Constitutional Council told The Daily Morning.

In the public service, every occupation and designated post of responsibility comes with a set period of service. This has been the practice and norm according to the constitution of the country. Such limitations are there to ensure that no one official gets too comfortable with his position, and there are opportunities for junior officers to rise to senior ranks to provide leadership. If nominations have not been received by the Constitutional Council regarding new candidates for the post of IGP, what will happen to all the police officers who have been in service for thus long and aspire to rise to the rank? How fair is it for those many officers, who have been serving for decades, to be denied the opportunity now? Because, each time an extension is given, no one stops the clock on those aspirant officers, who’s “time” will run out as they retire.

It is well known that there are several Senior DIG’s including the controversial Deshabandu Thennakoon, are keen in taking the top cop’s seat. Several of them have raised the issue with the process that is being followed, regarding their right to seek candidacy for the IGP post. The Government’s actions on this issue is deeply concerning, as it was under Wickramaratne tenure, that many incidents of police brutality, custodial deaths and unprovoked attacks on peaceful protestors occurred. Also, if there is a tug – o – war between the President and the Ministry of Public Security regarding the “who is more suitable”, it highlights poor governance and the continued politicisation of the law enforcement agencies.

Recently, the Judiciary sentenced the former Senior DIG of Police in charge of the Sabaragamuwa Province, to a five-year imprisonment over attempts to influence a fellow police officer to prevent a government politician being arrested over a shooting. A survey carried out by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) in early 2000’s indicated that many Sri Lankans viewed the 150 plus year old institution as the “most corrupt” state institution. A more recent survey in 2017 indicated that public sentiments about the Police had not changed even a decade and half later. There are many systemic problems with the Sri Lanka Police, and a robust reforms programme is needed. However, there must first be a basic adherence to due process. The failure of the Government to ensure the natural progression of senior officers, reinforces the view that the decision is indeed a political one, and therein will weaken the resolve of any aspirant officers from performing their duties with integrity, which is the need of the hour.