STF, a well-trained outfit: PM

The Police Special Task Force launched by late Ravi Jayawardene on the lines of the Special Air Service Regiment of the UK has become an example to other police forces in Asia, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

The Prime Minister made this observation addressing the 35th anniversary celebrations of the STF Training School and the passing out parade of its 74th intake held at Katukurunda, Kalutara, recently.

The Prime Minister said the new STF recruits should be proud of being part of a well-trained outfit and requested them to safeguard its honour and prestige at all times.

The Prime Minister added that the government had taken many steps to strengthen and develop the police service since 2015 by allocating the necessary funding and other requirements.

A section of the STF had been engaged with the UN peace keeping forces adding to its international glory and prestige, he said.

“Today, a modernisation programme is underway in the police service including the changing of its archaic laws and regulations for which Sagala Ratnayake made a great contribution as former Minister of Law and Order Peace.

Tranquility is a common hope and aspiration of the people as it ensured stability. The provision of security to the people is a major responsibility of the government apart from providing education, health facilities and economic development,” the Premier said.

“These are the basic principles on which the government fashioned the country's future well-being. Since the country is now free of terrorism, the STF is being deployed for the maintenance of law and order and combating organised crime and narcotics.”

The Prime Minister said that recently, a member of the Maha Sangha opined that the country today is facing a menace which was more serious than terrorism. When he inquired what it was, the thera said it was the narcotic drug menace. He said the drug menace which has spread in villages was a threat to the lives of the future generation and requested him to combat it.

A Catholic priest present on the occasion also approved this viewpoint. That was the reason the STF was also being deployed for a joint effort to combat drugs in collaboration with the Police, Armed Forces, Health Ministry, Education Ministry, Youth Affairs Ministry and several others institutions, the Prime Minister said.