Amid speculation that IGP Pujith Jayasundara may hand in his resignation next week, the top cop to succeed him could be Senior DIG S.M. Wickremasinghe who served as head of the Presidential Security Division (PSD) to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Maithripala Sirisena, Sunday Observer learns.
Senior DIG Wickremasinghe served as head of the PSD for nearly 12 years.
Both Jayasundara and Wickremasinghe joined the Sri Lanka Police as ASPs in May 1985. Since then, all their promotions, right up to DIG rank has been on the same days.
At the end of former IGP N. K. Illangakoon’s tenure, three senior DIGs were qualified for the post of next IGP. Until the appointment was made by the Constitutional Council, President Sirisena appointed Sr. DIG S.M. Wickremasinghe as acting IGP. When the Constitutional Council (CC) members were discussing the appointment of a new IGP different opinions were tabled. As there was no unanimous decision over the appointment the Chairman of CC Karu Jayasuriya opted to vote in a secret ballot. However, Chairman Jayasuriya did not vote. The other seven members, including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe voted. There were five votes favoring Jayasundara, whereas Wickremasinghe obtained only one vote. One vote was rejected. Thus, Pujith Jayasundara was appointed as the 34th IGP of Sri Lanka. Currently, Wickremasinghe is serving as the Senior DIG of Central and Uva province. (IU)