the police in order to reform the whole system. "The creation of the Interior Ministry shows a paradigm shift in the action of the police department".

He said that there is no substantial charge against the minister or ministry made by the opposition during the course of this debate.

He stressed that the Government and the Attorney General’s Department had never objected to the granting of bail to opposition MPs. "This has been the position of the Prime Minister", he said.

On the large number of crimes taking place in the vicinity of the Colombo city he said that the large number of hardcore criminals out on bail had contributed to this increase. "In Colombo Central there are 83, in Nugegoda there are 27. These people were not released during theSri Lanka.

"The LTTE stands for a separate state. No action was taken against the officer," he said calling for the resignation of the Interior Minister. "He must take responsibility and resign," he said.

He also gave examples of politically motivated transfers, pointing out that the pledge to not do such was broken.

He also called for a full investigation into the murder of father Aba Costa before the Interior Minister takes the portfolio of Christian Affairs.

-The Island -

Date : 2002-08-21

Baddegane Sanjeewa was top security officer not allowed famous criminal during PA regime — Rajitha

Kesara Abeywardena - The Island

The opposition presented a no-confidence motion on Interior Minister John Amaratunga citing harassment of opposition party activists using the law enforcement machinery.

However the government side maintained an edge over the opposition during the