President raps Minister of Interior over polls violence
[March 23, 2002 - 12.00 GMT]

In a hard-hitting letter to the Minister of Interior, John Amaratunga, President Kumaratunga has questioned his ability to lead the police with impartiality. In the letter dated March 22 President Kumaratunga says, “the happenings on Local Government Election Day on 20^th March suffices to have justified all the fears expressed by the Opposition Parties and reiterated by me regarding the incapacity of the Minister to deploy the Police to ensure free and fair elections.” 

Minister Amaratunga is also accused of having prevented the Senior DIG, Mr. Anandarajah from initiating the process as set out in the 17^th Amendment to deploy troops to prevent poll violence at the recently concluded election at which the ruling UNF emerged victors. 

The President was responding to a letter dated March 18 2002, from Minister Amaratunga in which he had said that the deployment of troops should be in keeping with the provisions of the 17^th amendment and be recommended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Full Texts of Letters 

President’s letter of March 18, 2002 to Minister of Interior 

Letter dated March 18, 2002 from Minister of Interior to President 

President’s letter of March 22, 2002 to Minister of Interior

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Last Updated Date: March 23, 2002  - 12.00 GMT.