Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader and lawyer Udaya Gammanpila has strongly criticized the transfer of police officers during the election period, calling it immoral, illegal, and politically motivated.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya party headquarters, Gammanpila revealed that 41 senior police officers, including 13 Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and 28 Police OICs, have been suddenly transferred despite the ongoing election period.
He emphasized that the election period extends from the announcement of an election until the release of results and that key officials such as Police OICs and Grama Niladharis should not be transferred during this time, as they directly influence electoral processes.
Gammanpila warned that such transfers could be used to manipulate election results in politically unfavorable areas, making them not only unethical but also illegal and biased.
He further stated that if these transfers were not approved by the Election Commission, they must be immediately revoked. However, if the Election Commission did approve them, it should explain to the public why the decision was made.
