The Cabinet of Ministers has given approval to set up a fund to assist police officers who face legal issues while performing their duties. Some police officers become helpless before the law when legal issues arise in courts against them although they had done the right thing to maintain law and order.
No monetary provisions are now available to provide legal aid and assistance to the police officers to defend themselves against the injustice that is levelled against them, a senior police officer in Kurunegala told the Sunday Observer.
Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles has obtained Cabinet approval to set up a Legal Aid Fund on behalf of such police officers. This fund will be maintained by a committee of senior police officers headed by the IGP.
Legal aid and assistance will be provided for police officers in keeping with the recommendations of the Committee under the guidance of a panel of lawyers.