March 30, Colombo (LNW): Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala has moved to clear up confusion surrounding his recent remarks on police authority, stressing that officers are legally permitted to carry out operations outside their designated areas when necessary.
Addressing questions from the media, Watagala explained that his earlier comments—made during a coordinating committee meeting in Maharagama—had been misunderstood.
He noted that his concerns were not about the legality of such operations, but rather about the misuse of authority by certain individuals within the force.
According to the Deputy Minister, recent findings suggest that a small number of officers had ventured beyond their official jurisdictions under the pretext of conducting raids, while allegedly engaging in improper activities, including soliciting bribes and manipulating evidence.
He pointed to a particular case in which discrepancies were discovered in seized narcotics, along with claims that suspects had been unlawfully substituted.
Watagala further revealed that the officers involved had reportedly acted without informing their station’s Officer-in-Charge, raising serious questions about their intentions. He maintained that such actions undermine public trust and must be dealt with firmly.
He also confirmed that renewed scrutiny of the incident led to the apprehension of the original suspect, who has since been remanded, while separate investigations are underway into the conduct of the officers concerned.
The Deputy Minister reiterated that his position remains clear: while police retain the authority to operate beyond their usual jurisdictions, such actions must be carried out transparently and with proper oversight. He added that ensuring accountability within law enforcement is essential to maintaining credibility and upholding the rule of law.