Sri Lanka’s IGP controversy resolved

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 December 2003, 17:10 GMT]
Mr.Indra de Silva, who has been acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Sri Lanka since the post fell vacant when the previous IGP, Mr.T.E.Anandarajah, retired from the service last month, is to be appointed as the new IGP. The Constitutional Council of Sri Lanka (CCS) that met Thursday afternoon at the parliamentary complex confirmed Mr.Indra de Silva in the IGP post, parliamentary sources said.

Speaker Mr.Joseph Michael Perera presided over the CCS.

The recommendation made by the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunge, to appoint Mr. de Silva for the post of IGP came in for perusal at the CCS meeting for the second time. The CCS last month turned down the President’s recommendation, stating that there were many officers in the police department senior to Mr. de Silva who could fill the post of IGP.

However, the CCS meeting held Thursday accepted the recommendation by the president and decided to confirm Mr. de Silva in the IGP post. The decision of the CCS has been conveyed to the President Thursday evening, parliamentary sources said.

The President is expected to officially announce the appointment of Mr. de Silva as the permanent IGP soon, government sources said.