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No disciplinary action against ‘our Government’ SSP

22 Mar 2021

There will be no disciplinary action initiated against Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Roshan Rajapaksa, who on Friday (19) referred to the current Government as “our Government” while speaking to electronic and print media, The Morning learnt. Speaking to The Morning, Police Media Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana confirmed that there will be no action taken against Colombo Police Environment Unit Chief SSP Rajapaksa. During his statement, SSP Rajapaksa said: “We appreciate this idea. Previous days, we had posters covering Colombo city. When current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa served as the Defence Secretary, he banned posters and banners. Even he did not use them during his election campaign. He loves the environment. He kept the Colombo environment clean and healthy. The discourse of the environment also emerged because of our Government.” The use of the phrase “our Government” led to criticism from various quarters, stating that the comment was symbolic of the politicisation of the Sri Lanka Police. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harin Fernando too slammed SSP Rajapaksa’s statement on Twitter. “Despicable!! Senior police officer SSP Roshan Rajapaksa claiming after HIS GOVT. CAME there is a positive debate to save the environment. Clearly shows how Police is politicised under @GotabayaR.” The statement was made after a massive mural opposite the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Colombo highlighting ecocide in Sri Lanka was removed by the Environmental Unit of the Police. It was erected by the Youth Wing of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) which protested the removal, claiming that permission was granted by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) for it. However, SSP Rajapaksa, who visited the site, said the mural was set up without approval from the Police Environmental Unit.


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