Three Inspector Generals of Police were given the JVP 'treatment' - an investigation into Sagala's statement

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala has stated that an investigation will be conducted into a statement made by the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Attorney Sagala Kariyawasam, regarding the current Inspector General of Police (IGP). Speaking at a press conference today, Sagala Kariyawasam alleged that three former Inspectors General of Police faced tragic fates under the current government.

Commenting on the incidents faced by former IGPs Pujith Jayasundara, C.D. Wickramaratne, and Deshabandu Tennakoon, he urged the current IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya to stop serving the government and instead serve the people and the state. Furthermore, Sagala Kariyawasam stated that he does not wish for the 37th IGP to be historically remembered as an IGP who was beaten to death by people on the street. Sagala Kariyawasam's full statement is as follows.

"A very regrettable situation has arisen in this country once again. This is the fate that has befallen the police in this country. The Police Department is a department with a proud history in this country. It is a department that has played a significant role in maintaining law and order in this country. Also, the Sri Lanka Police... we know that the officers, police officers, and police constables who join the Sri Lanka Police have never been paid a salary commensurate with their service by the government. Despite this, they performed their duties with great self-respect, disregarding their salaries."

However, the current government is dragging the Sri Lanka Police to a very low, I think, shameful state. After this government came to power, Mr. Pujith Jayasundara, who was the 34th IGP of this country, has now been sentenced to death and is in prison. Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne, who was appointed as the 35th IGP of this country, mysteriously fell and died at his home. Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was appointed as the 36th IGP of this country, became the first IGP to be removed from service while still in active duty and is now at home. Three former Inspectors General of Police have had to face three very tragic fates under this Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna government.

"Furthermore, we respectfully request the current Inspector General of Police, Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, to stop serving the government and start serving the state and the people. Because we do not want the 37th IGP to go down in history as an IGP who was beaten to death by people on the street. The Police Department has already been brought to such a low state by this government."