Ensure violence free poll, Police told

Every effort should be made to enforce election laws to ensure an election free of violence during the run up to the poll and after the elections, Public Security, Law and Order Ministry Secretary Tilak Ranaviraja told Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando and senior DIGs.

Briefing them on law and order issues including the conduct of a free and fair violence free election at a special conference on October 12, Ranaviraja said stern action should be taken against offenders. He said President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has also pledged her fullest support to ensure that laws are applied equally to all.

Ranaviraja said adequate security should be provided to candidates contesting the Presidential Election depending on the extent of risks and dangers candidates are exposed to.

The Secretary also stressed the need to take more positive action at crime prevention in general. "While there had been prompt action taken to bring offenders to book there is the need to keep vigilance by conducting patrolling of areas and swift co-ordinated action soon after a crime.

Clean up operations should be conducted in areas noted for crimes. Public co-operation should be obtained to tackle crime," Ranaviraja said.

He said more surprise checks and raids should be conducted to detect illicit small arms, the cause of major crimes.

Ranaviraja said though there had been noticeable improvement in traffic control, there is the need to more stringent enforcement of traffic laws.

"More awareness and educative campaigns should be carried out to reduce accidents," he said. Ranaviraja stressed on the need to enforce more effective action on drug trafficking and illicit sale and consumption of liquor in public places.

"Action should be taken on such offenders irrespective of their social standing," he said.

Ranaviraja said a set of guidelines are being worked out in the operation of hotels, restaurants, karaokes, clubs and other recreational establishments to ensure that these establishments operate strictly within the framework of the laws of the country and not for purposes other than they have been legally permitted to undertake.

Police should conduct surprise checks at establishments which flout laws specially those who serve liquor without licences and consumption of liquor at unauthorised and public places, he said.