Public Security Minister condemns petition against country’s first woman DIG

• Says DIG Bimshani Jasin Arachchi is capable, award-winning officer  
• Asserts appointment of a woman to the post of DIG is a credit to the Police Department
• Believes petition by 33 SSPs may bring disgrace to entire Police Department

Public Security Minister Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera yesterday condemned the legal action taken against the appointment of Bimshani Jasin Arachchi as the country’s first female Deputy Inspector General (DIG), insisting that she was ‘fit and proper’ for the position.

“We should be proud that a woman officer became a DIG. The lady DIG is an award-winning officer. I am personally disappointed that legal action has been taken against her appointment,” he said responding to a question regarding the controversial move by a group of 33 Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to file a Fundamental Rights petition challenging her appointment. 

The Minister said the appointment of a woman to the post of DIG is a credit to the Sri Lanka Police Department.

Weerasekara asserted that he did not believe the petition would prove successful, adding that the legal action by the group of senior officers may bring disgrace to the entire Police Department. (AF)