Power Struggle Over Police: Constitutional Council Summons Police Commission And IGP For 'Peace Talks'

The Constitutional Council of Sri Lanka has summoned IGP Pujith Jayasundara and members of the National Police Commission for a meeting next week to discuss issues between the two parties. 

A fresh issue has arisen over the powers  of the Police Commission with the IGP failing to implement recommendations of the NPC. 

The issue was highlighted when the IGP did not promote SSP Palitha Siriwardena as per the recommendation of the Police Commission. 

Siriwardena has also filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition over the promotion. 

The Commission, in a recent statement to media, said it was powerless against the IGP and could not do anything about the failure on his part. 

The Police Commission also said the failure of the IGP to implement the recommendations of the IGP was an issue that the drafters of the 19th did not foresee. 

It is against this backdrop that the Constitutional Council has decided to intervene in the matter and discuss with both parties.