Defence Secretary Gotabhya Rajapaksa told The Island that prior to defeating the LTTE, policemen had been compelled to be heavily armed as there was a threat to their lives from terrorists, but now there was no need for policemen to be armed with guns in public since terrorism had been eliminated.

Meanwhile, Rajapaksa said a disciplinary inquiry would held on the police officers who had canvassed for Presidential candidate Gen (Rtd) Sarath Fonseka at the recent election, and those found guilty would be severely dealt with. "Policemen’s job is to maintain law and order and not to canvass for political parties. By doing so law enforcement officers will lose public confidence," he said.

When asked about 208 police officers who had been transferred after the Presidential election, he said it was a routine matter.

Courtesy: Island