Executive Director of the Campaign for Free and Fair Election (CaFFE) Keerthi Tennakoon stated that some of the transfers in the Police Department have occurred in the run-up to the upcoming presidential election without the knowledge of the Inspector General of Police.

Speaking at a press conference convened by a several elections monitor organizations, he said pointed out that transfers could not be done in the police department during election time. However, many such transfers had taken place roughly within a period of one and a half months, he added.

Tennakoon also said that these transfers have been carried out by the Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order.

Former IGP Mahinda Balasuriya was appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order in late October.

Tennakoon also added that there were a number of discrepancies in the way the police had carried out election duty, such as in removal of hoardings and banners and investigating election violence. If the police does not carry out its duty properly, he will seek legal remedy, Tennakoon added.