The government media, as well as private media, have reported that the actions taken by the members of the Constitutional Council that includes Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeyawardhana and several others to remove Inspector General of Police C.D.Wickramaratne from his post is a conspiracy. The IGP was given a three-week service extension by the President earlier.
Interestingly, the news given by one person or a group is often published in the same way. All those news reports have generally mentioned that a senior government minister stated that it is doubtful whether the action taken by the Constitutional Council is a conspiracy. Also, the action taken when the President and Public Security Minister were abroad was also mentioned in the same way in every news item.
In addition, Dinamina newspaper has published a sub-headline stating that “Strong suspicion that the sudden removal was to protect a drug dealer”. However, no reporter or editor has been named for this story. Yesterday (17th) at around 3.00 p.m., the Constitutional Council met and dismissed C. D. Wickramaratne from the post of Inspector General of Police. However, it is reported that President Ranil Wickramasinghe, who is in Beijing, China, reinstated him within an hour.
In addition to the Prime Minister and the Speaker, the members of the Constitutional Council are the Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Pemadasa, Member of Parliament Sagara Kariyawasam and representatives of civil organizations. C. D. Wickramaratne has been removed from the position of Inspector General of Police. by the policy decision taken by the government to retire officers over 60 years of age compulsorily. Even circulars related to it have been issued. Despite this, it is unclear as to what political purpose this action of the Constitutional Council has been defined as a conspiracy.<\/p>\n