In order to dispel irrational fears and suspicions that followed, subsequent to several unruly and unpleasant episodes after interested elements recently provoked the public in the Jaffna peninsula, a decision was made to set up steering committees for coordination of security during a recent forum of religious leaders, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Administrators, state officials, senior Security Forces personnel and civil society representatives, held in Jaffna.
Tuesday’s (6) special meeting focused on the sense of insecurity that has been created among the people on a non-existent notion of a ‘grease devil’ among them and establishment of a coordinated security mechanism.
Hon Minister of Petroleum Industries Mr. Susil Premajayantha who attended the meeting as the special envoy of His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa informed the meeting that a Steering Committee was to be appointed with the Governor as the Head, in order to ensure proper coordination of the entire security mechanism.
The committee is comprised of religious leaders, Parliamentarians, Commander Security Forces - Jaffna (SF-J), Senior DIG Jaffna and community leaders. The development committees presently in effect are to be reintegrated to the system to make it more effective at Brigade and Battalion levels.
Addressing the forum which was open to public views, a Jaffna woman activist, Ms Saroja Sivasankar said that relations between Security Forces and people have unfortunately declined due to those recent developments of some evil elements and requested for restoration of normalcy after bringing the culprits to book.
Jaffna University lecturers representing intellectuals were of the view that some unidentified elements seemed to be behind those sabotage work with the malicious intention of disturbing the rapport that prevails between the Security Forces and the civilians in post-conflict Jaffna.
Speaking at the meeting Kurukkal Nallur Adinan Srilasri Somasundarampillai said that culprits behind those heinous acts should be dealt severely with law and brought before the law.
Bishop Jaffna Rev. Fr. Dr. Thomas Saundranayagam agreed that those outbreaks have affected good relations between Security Forces, Police and civilians. Rev. Fr. Dr. Saundranayagam highlighted the importance of revitalizing strained relations as soon as possible.
Ven. Meegahajandure Sirivimala Thero, Jaffna Sri Naga Vihara pointed out that various political hands and pro-violent social elements with vested interests were behind such uprisings and those elements should not be allowed to disturb peace gained after thirty years under any circumstances.
Commander Security Forces - Jaffna (SF-J) Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe during his address brought the security measures that have been taken by the Security Forces and Police to the notice of all those who were present. He stressed that so-called ‘Grease Devil’ was a fantasy created by some sections in the society to disturb peace being enjoyed by the people. He totally rejected rumours being spread against the Security Forces and requested not to get carried away by unfounded stories without any substance.
SF-J Commander told the participants that the Police are ready to entertain any complaint even against the Army, if they do anything wrong. Finally, SF-J Commander requested all participants to cooperate with the Police to maintain law and order without trying to take the law into their own hands serving the parties with ulterior motives.
Bishop of Indian Catholic Church Rev Fr. Dr. Thiyagaraja, Governor Northern Province Major General (Retd) G.A. Chandrasiri, Hon. Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Mr. Douglas Devananda, Additional Government Agent Ms. Varthani Rupasingham, Senior DIG Mr. Gamini Silva General Officers Commanding of three Divisions in the peninsula were also present during this forum.
Tuesday’s (6) special meeting focused on the sense of insecurity that has been created among the people on a non-existent notion of a ‘grease devil’ among them and establishment of a coordinated security mechanism.
Hon Minister of Petroleum Industries Mr. Susil Premajayantha who attended the meeting as the special envoy of His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa informed the meeting that a Steering Committee was to be appointed with the Governor as the Head, in order to ensure proper coordination of the entire security mechanism.
The committee is comprised of religious leaders, Parliamentarians, Commander Security Forces - Jaffna (SF-J), Senior DIG Jaffna and community leaders. The development committees presently in effect are to be reintegrated to the system to make it more effective at Brigade and Battalion levels.
Addressing the forum which was open to public views, a Jaffna woman activist, Ms Saroja Sivasankar said that relations between Security Forces and people have unfortunately declined due to those recent developments of some evil elements and requested for restoration of normalcy after bringing the culprits to book.
Jaffna University lecturers representing intellectuals were of the view that some unidentified elements seemed to be behind those sabotage work with the malicious intention of disturbing the rapport that prevails between the Security Forces and the civilians in post-conflict Jaffna.
Speaking at the meeting Kurukkal Nallur Adinan Srilasri Somasundarampillai said that culprits behind those heinous acts should be dealt severely with law and brought before the law.
Bishop Jaffna Rev. Fr. Dr. Thomas Saundranayagam agreed that those outbreaks have affected good relations between Security Forces, Police and civilians. Rev. Fr. Dr. Saundranayagam highlighted the importance of revitalizing strained relations as soon as possible.
Ven. Meegahajandure Sirivimala Thero, Jaffna Sri Naga Vihara pointed out that various political hands and pro-violent social elements with vested interests were behind such uprisings and those elements should not be allowed to disturb peace gained after thirty years under any circumstances.
Commander Security Forces - Jaffna (SF-J) Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe during his address brought the security measures that have been taken by the Security Forces and Police to the notice of all those who were present. He stressed that so-called ‘Grease Devil’ was a fantasy created by some sections in the society to disturb peace being enjoyed by the people. He totally rejected rumours being spread against the Security Forces and requested not to get carried away by unfounded stories without any substance.
SF-J Commander told the participants that the Police are ready to entertain any complaint even against the Army, if they do anything wrong. Finally, SF-J Commander requested all participants to cooperate with the Police to maintain law and order without trying to take the law into their own hands serving the parties with ulterior motives.
Bishop of Indian Catholic Church Rev Fr. Dr. Thiyagaraja, Governor Northern Province Major General (Retd) G.A. Chandrasiri, Hon. Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Mr. Douglas Devananda, Additional Government Agent Ms. Varthani Rupasingham, Senior DIG Mr. Gamini Silva General Officers Commanding of three Divisions in the peninsula were also present during this forum.
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