The Minister in charge of a controversial ‘anti-drugs’ operation vowed to carry on arrests disregarding United Nations criticism.
“We won’t stop on any one’s statement. We will carry on in the same manner,” said Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles amidst applause.
He was speaking to members of the Seethawakapura Community Police Committee at an event organised by the Avissawella police in the weekend.
The UN’s top human rights body decried the much-hyped operation as ‘a heavy-handed law enforcement approach’. The operation codenamed ‘Yukthiya (Justice)’ was launched on the 17th December and has arrested more than 25,000 suspects since.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk had urged the Government of Sri Lanka to review its ongoing “Yukthiya” operation, and to implement human rights based approaches.
“During and after these operations, people are reported to have been subjected to a number of violations, including unauthorised searches, arbitrary arrests and detention, ill-treatment, torture, and strip searches in public,’’ said spokesperson for OHCHR Liz Throssell On 12th January.
In Seethawakapura, Minister Alles went on to be critical of unnamed lawyers and organisations that allegedly provide information to the UN, describing them as ‘hypocritic gangs working against the country’.
“There is a handful. That handful is doing it for money. Money from NGOs. Statements are issued when they get funds.”
The UN had criticized the strong-arm approach of security forces raising concern over the way of the Sri Lanka’s dealing with drug addicts.
“People suspected of selling or trafficking drugs are entitled to humane treatment, with full respect for due process and transparent, fair trials,” stated the UN highlighting, “allegations of abuse of authority, torture and ill-treatment and denial of due process and fair trial rights must be thoroughly and impartially investigated, and justice must be served.”
The police chief openly invited committee members to spy on the community.
“Safeguarding the national security is the priority of our committee” claimed Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.
“The community police committee in the village should establish who the residents are in every house. That is the only way we can assure that there will be no chance for extremists, terrorists and religious extremists to come to our area, rent out houses and engage in destructive activities.”
The IGP urged committee members to make use of voters lists and the householder’s lists in the possession of village officials known as ‘Grama Niladhari’s to provide police with personal details of residents.
