Wimal: Country descending into anarchy without duly-appointed IGP

By Saman Indrajith

The country was descending into anarchy with no IGP to head the Police Department, NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa told Parliament yesterday.

“There is no legitimate IGP in this country today . We call on the government not to play with law and order,” MP Weerawansa said.

Weerwansa said that the Constitutional Council had not approved a service extension for the incumbent IGP. “Without Constitutional Council approval an IGP cannot be appointed. The President is the appointing official but the approval for that appointment should come from the Constitutional Council. That is what the Constitution says.

Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe: It is the President who has made this appointment.

Weerawansa: The Deputy Speaker is not the representative of the President. Therefore, the Deputy Speaker should not speak on behalf of the President. There is a Prime Minister and subject Ministers to speak on behalf of the President. We need answers from the Executive. The Deputy Speaker is not representative of the Executive.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: The Speaker will make a statement in this regard. The President has powers to make appointments. The Constitutional Council needs to meet and discuss this issue.

Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa: The Constitutional Council has not approved the third service extension given to the incumbent IGP. TNA MP MA Sumanthiran: As per the law there is no IGP in the country at this moment.