Why was Senior Deputy Inspector of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya assigned to North Western Province elected as the Acting Inspector General of Police prudently by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake? The reasons for this admirable decision are as follows: – By Sunil Thenabadu
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The most crucial reason for the election of Priyantha Weerasuriya’s enormous uprightness, morality and utmost honesty. Even if any instructions were received by his higher ranks which would lead to corruption and bribery , he was never willing to acceded to those orders and advises. There have been many proven instances where he spoke against such corruption activities and having declined many such unreasonable desires. For this eminence of his there had been instances where he was jeopardised in his police career to receive sudden transfers for which he did not change his firm stance. He never bowed his head to injustice, corruption and bribery incentives throughout his admirable career spanning thirty four years having commenced his career in Police from the lowest rank as a police constable. For his honesty and integrity Priyantha Weerasuriya was invariably unanimously selected to lead in procurement dealings in the Police department This was according to his educational qualifications and the high level of honesty he possessed. Though he could have in many circumstances under the table earned money during these activities he came across. Instead he became a role model to all Police officers through his unbelievable behaviour and conduct in discharging honest duties to unprecedented tall elevations. Through his conduct he wanted other police officers follow his characteristics in becoming honest while conduct of duty to become a role model to the police profession.
Priyantha Weerasuriya possess many educational credentials He is an attorney at law having the basic qualifications and also possessing a double degree in law .To assist in procurement activities in the Police department he had followed higher education courses to enhance his knowledge. All these were achieved with a lot of dedication and effort focussed for performing duties honestly at the police department. His life story was not at all a smooth one having been born to poor village parents in a remote village. His father had passed away early in his life.His mother had brought him up though with many financial hazards. Owing to financial constraints Priyantha had abandoned schooling after his success at the ordinary level examination. Owing to financial snags at home in year 1988 had joined the Police department as a police constable. While attached to the Cinnamon Gardens police station he had been forced to enter the Colombo university to resolve an issue where it was a turning point in his life when he met his fiancé.It was then it had prompted Priyantha to sit for the Advanced Level as an external student in the arts stream, of course not neglecting the official duties as an external student. On successfully completing the advanced level he was admitted to the Law College also as an external student to complete the law degree . After taking oaths after passing out as an Attorney at Law. He did not stop his education, he studied further in Law to obtain a post graduate qualification. Priyantha was promoted to the grade of Sub Inspector of Police. He continued to study further for the Police Director examination where he propelled further becoming batch top student. While attending to his honest police duties he was able to navigate to higher positions in the Police department becoming in no time with ease to a Deputy Inspector General of Police
When Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected the President there was no officer who held the position of the Inspector general of Police.The Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Deshabandu was removed from the position following a Supreme Council order. Appointing a permanent Inspector General of Police to Anura Kumar Dissanayake’s government was a priority. On perusing the existing list the name of Priyantha Weerasuriya was at the topmost. There have been previous instances when while there were seniors for this post a relatively junior officer was given the nod. What was needed was not the seniority but the aptitude to serve with honesty was in the foremost of the President.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane.
