Wickramaratne to continue as acting IGP until month-end

In response to a question from Jathika Jana Balawegaya leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake about the situation regarding C.D. Wickramaratne's role as acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) after the Constitutional Council rejected the extension granted by the President, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said that C.D. Wickramaratne can continue to function as acting IGP until the end of the month or until a new IGP is appointed.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene confirmed that there is no issue regarding the appointment of an IGP, as the President can re-nominate Wickramaratne even though the Constitutional Council had rejected the previous appointment.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake argued that the Constitutional Council serves no purpose if the President can make an appointment while ignoring its decisions.

Opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila joined the discussion and requested the Speaker and Prime Minister to clarify reports that suggested the Constitutional Council rejected the extension granted to Wickramaratne to protect a drug trafficker.

In response to this, the Prime Minister mentioned that the government is working on legislation to prevent the spread of fake news.