President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that following the establishment of law and order in July 2022, the citizens will have the opportunity to vote for a new President on September 21, 2024.
The President also highlighted that it is the responsibility of himself as the President, the Election Commission and the Police Department to support free and independent elections by maintaining law and order in the country.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe made this statement during the opening of the Special Operations Command of the Police Special Task Force in Sri Jayawardanepura, yesterday (13).
The President emphasized that following the Presidential Election on September 21, violence must be avoided, and urged everyone to act responsibly.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe further stated that to enhance drug control, all existing police, military, and civil agencies will be consolidated into a single agency under the Anti-Drug Act, with relevant powers transferred to this new body.
The President emphasized that the underworld and drug traffickers must not be allowed to undermine the country. He also announced that new laws will be introduced to combat underworld activities using advanced technology.
Additionally, the President highlighted that ensuring law and order is essential for protecting the basic rights of the people and expressed his intention to include this commitment in the law.
Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles observed that in the history of the police, no one has paid more attention to their needs or provided more support than President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
"Over the past two years, allowances for food and maintenance for the police have been increased, along with travel allowances. Additionally, 500 new jeeps were procured for the police force. These improvements were made even as the country was recovering from an economic crisis," Minister Alles noted.
He also said that this command centre is dedicated to protecting the nation’s peace, and will play a significant role in helping the Police Department achieve its future goals.
Present at the event were President's Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka, Singapore’s Minister for Law and Home Affairs, K. Shanmugam, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake, and other officials.
