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| STF, a military force |
The 61 STF camps, located country-wide, had around 8,000 commandoes who were well-disciplined to undertake any sort of crime eradication operations at any time. The Defense Secretary Ghotabhaya Rajapaksa and the IGP N. K. Illangakoon had vested power in the STF to assist the police to maintain law and order in the country, he told a Media Conference at STF head quarters on Monday.
Commandant Ranawana said that of late crimes of various natures had been taking place. In some such cases the police and the CID were finding it difficult to get accurate information on the underworld. They were in need of an extra force to assist them in eliminating the crime wave. The Special Weapons and Tactics Team had been trained to undertake major rescue operations, trace disappearances, abductions and those who were responsible for contract killings.
He pointed out that unit had been instrumental in assisting the police to eliminate underworld gangs who had been a social canker. But now, the crime wave had shown an upward trend. Many notorious underworld criminals were brought to book irrespective of caste, creed or religion. He would take action to reinvigorate the STF with well-disciplined commandoes, he said.
Western Province Senior DIG Anura Senanakaya said that people had the highest regard for STF commandoes, because the STF in coordination with the police had been able to eliminate crime and had been able to catch notorious criminals red-handed. "Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the IGP Illangakoon have instructed the police to take into custody any person irrespective of political affiliations who are involved in criminal activities. The Khawatta and Karandeniya murder suspects were arrested and the due punishments will follow." DIG Senanayaka stressed.
By Don Asoka Wijewardena
IS
