The Worst

The Police in Sri Lanka have been coming under increasing criticism due to the recent Angulana incident as well various other incidents around the country. In order to quell public fears, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jayantha Wickramaratna held a press conference today detailing his efforts in flushing out certain 'corrupt elements'in the Police force. He also said that action has been taken against as many as 168 Policemen for breaking laws. My opinion is that severe punishments should be given to these officers in an effort to set an example to the rest of the Police force that any law breaking will be dealt with harshly. Even though it is a calamity that 168 officers were found guilty, we can take heart in the fact that the IGP is doing something about this.

The Best

"Faji" is the name of a well known gangster in Colombo. Today, Police report that they have killed him in a shootout in Maligawatte. Gangs are a big problem in Colombo; with gangsters controlling many areas of the City. Although the problem is not that same as it was in New York in the 1920's, the situation is serious enough that these thugs have enough power to do what they want in their little niches of the city. Police are constantly in battle with such elements, and it is heartening to note that they have achieved a victory today. Every victory in the area of gangs is a victory for democracy in Sri Lanka and should be celebrated as such.