Gifts galore for alert policemen, public

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Measures are in place to grant extra marks for Police officers who have rendered an outstanding and dedicated service to create a peaceful environment for the public, IGP N K Illangakoon said.

"Public assistance is important to maintain peace and harmony in the society.

"Public information also helps solve crime," he said at a ceremony to hand over rewards to 558 police officers who apprehended suspects in several murder and drug trafficking cases and large scale scams.

Seventeen members of the public were also rewarded by IGP Illangakoon at the ceremony for providing information to the Police enabling the Police to apprehend the suspects in various crimes. Among the recipients were Police officers who conducted successful investigations into a number of crimes including the murder of four persons from the same family at Udawalawa.

IGP Illangakoon distributed rewards worth Rs 12.47 million and commendation letters among 558 Police personnel who had brought honour to the Police Department by arresting culprits involved in the murder of the businessman in Wellawa, hard drug trafficking and murderers in several parts of the country.

The IGP distributed rewards worth Rs 9.73 million for those involved in investigating crimes, Rs 2.6 million for those who helped control the use of narcotic drugs and Rs145,000 for other services.

This is the second time that Police personnel are being rewarded this year. The highest amount of Rs 300,000 was approved for Chief Inspector Palitha Dias who conducted operations to arrest the suspects who were involved in Wellawa businessman's murder.

Awards were also presented to the Criminal Investigation Department, Intelligent Section, STF, Police Narcotics Bureau, Colombo Crimes Division, Police Special Branch and several Police Stations.