Foreign exposure for traffic cops

Rafik JALALDEEN

COLOMBO: Traffic policemen will be given foreign exposure to further their knowledge and uplift their skills, IGP Victor Perera said.

Speaking at the passing out of the 11th and 12th Junior Traffic Management Course at the Police Headquarters on Thursday, IGP Perera commended the services of Traffic Police personnel working under trying conditions, breathing dust and vehicle exhaust fumes and braving the elements without concern to their health.

“They work hard for the public with limited facilities. They need more knowledge and foreign exposure. We are trying to arrange special overseas exposure, particularly for traffic police officers, controlling traffic on streets,” the IGP said.

The Junior Traffic Management course was conducted by the Traffic Police Headquarters. Around 87 police officers passed out after completing the three month course.

“The officers were trained on traffic rules, driving and traffic management,” he said. IGP Perera said traffic police personnel do a great service to the public controlling traffic with limited facilities.

“People have a limited knowledge about traffic and transportation. The public should support traffic police to carry out their task effectively,” he said.

According to IGP Perera, over 2.8 million motor vehicles ply here and half (1.4 million) are motorbicycles. Around 450 deaths caused by motorbicycles were reported in 2006. Nearly 26,000 vehicles are registering to an English letter.

“The public should adhere to the traffic rules and act with responsibility as well as support the traffic police while in the road or vehicle,” he added.

“As traffic police personnel work under difficult circumstances, they should be promoted. We will discuss this with the Police Commission and the traffic DIG to promote skilful traffic police officers,” he added.