Inspector General of Police warns:

Armed gangs beware

Elements will be held in custody pending investigations:

Sarath Malalasekera

IGP Mahinda Balasuriya yesterday vowed to come down hard on all armed gangs and other disruptive elements who attempt to create unrest and tension during the ongoing election campaign.

“Such elements will be rounded up and held in custody pending investigations,” the IGP said. “No one is above the law. Whoever attempts to engage in violence during the General Election period will be dealt with severely irrespective of their positions,” he said.

IGP Balasuriya earlier directed Senior DIGs and DIGs of the nine provinces to advise Officers-in-Charge of Police Stations to be vigilant and arrest those attempting to create problems in the country.

The IGP also directed them to remove all cut-outs and hoardings with immediate effect. The IGP made these directions on a directive by Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake that all cut-outs, hoardings and posters should be removed forthwith.

Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne who is in-charge of the Police Election Secretariat will be tasked to ensure the IGP’s directions are complied with. The IGP said Senior Police officers should educate their staff about the existing election and traffic laws which should be applied when they are deployed during the elections.