WHY POLICE FAILED TO STOP THE BLOODSHED IN MAY 2022

A new investigation has revealed that police inaction to prevent arson attacks against SLPP politicians in the Western province on May 9 may have been due to orders not to carry weapons to deal with protesters. Senior Deputy Inspector General Deshabandu Tennakoon had ordered all officers under him to ensure that no personnel was issued with arms and ammunition during the May 9 violence. Tennakoon had issued this order in his two-page instructions to DIGs, SSPs, SPs, ASPs, and officers in charge of all stations in the districts of Colombo, Kalutara, and Gampaha, stating that no weapons or ammunition should be issued under any circumstances to officers deployed to deal with the protesters.

The three-member investigation panel headed by former navy chief Wasantha Karannagoda appointed to look into the security lapses had yet to come across this order dated May 5. However, the panel had uncovered a similar order issued by the then-army chief Shavendra Silva.

A top official source revealed that deploying police without even their own personal protection is seen as a violation of departmental orders, and an internal investigation had begun.

Meanwhile, despite 400 air force men being deployed to protect President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence, it was torched. The airmen did not open fire to deter a handful of attackers who scaled walls to enter the premises and set it on fire. Instead of dealing with the arsonists, a police Special Task Force (STF) unit outside the Fifth Lane residence of Wickremesinghe attacked a television crew, angering the protesters and encouraging more people to congregate there.

Several people identified through CCTV footage have already been arrested in connection

with the arson at Wickremesinghe’s residence. However, no action has been taken against police and security personnel who failed to ensure law and order.

By Polito