Rathnapura DIG Priyantha Liyanage has been transferred out of the Sabaragamuwa Davison after he had a tiff with an area parliamentarian over the refusal to cancel the transfer effected to an errant policeman.
Member of Parliament Muditha Priyashanthi De Zoysa has made a complaint against DIG Piyantha Liyanage for bringing her to disrespect and causing embarrassment in the eyes of the public by rejecting a request made by her.
She has written to the President, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Law and Order, and the Inspector General of Police to ask them to investigate the matter and take appropriate action against the DIG concerned.
The President had apparently acceded to the MP’s request and directed his secretary to effect the transfer of the DIG. The secretary in turn directed the secretary of the Law and Order Ministry, and thereafter, the necessary arrangements were made after consulting the Police Commission. The transfer was effected depending on service requirements.
Apparently, Ms. De Zoysa has requested that the DIG concerned cancel a transfer handed down to an errant police constable who allegedly extorted a ransom of 3000 rupees from a massage parlour while posing as an officer attached to the Walana anti-corruption unit. The officer was subsequently produced before a magistrate and was transferred out following an investigation.
When he received the transfer, the police constable concerned went to Ratnapura District Member of Parliament Mudita Krishanti de Soysa to get the transfer cancelled.
The MP thereafter, who got in touch with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Liyanage, over the phone, told him to cancel the transfer.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, who had given a hearing to the MP, at the same time explained the circumstances that led to the transfer and has since hung up the phone.
The member of parliament, who was irritated over disconnecting the phone, has written to the President, the Prime Minister, the Inspector General of Police, and the Minister of Law and Order to launch an investigation against the Deputy Inspector General, on the charge that she had been embarrassed by the DIG in the eyes of the public. She has also reminded the authorities of her role as a representative of the people.
She further stated in the letter that no senior police officer in Ratnapura district has ever acted like this, and the police chiefs of Ratnapura district have informed her that this DIG is a misfit.
An officer attached to the office of the Senior Inspector General of Police in Ratnapura said that the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of Ratnapura Division, three Assistant Superintendents of Police, and three Officers-in-Charge of Police Stations had recently met with the Senior DIG in charge of Sabaragamuwa Province, Sanjeeva Dharmaratne, to complain that they find it difficult to work with DIG Priyantha Liyanage.
However, it has been revealed that all these officials have investigations pending against them. DIG Priyantha Liyanage has been known for his honesty and duty consciousness.
