By Shamindra Ferdinando
The government has not so far indicated whether it intends to replace IGP Lucky Kodituwakku when he reaches the retirement age in early January next year, senior police officials said.

However, the majority believes that Kodituwakku was most likely to be kept on as the police chief. "Kodituwakku was expected to get another term," a senior officer said pointing out that continuing "rivalry" among some officers as well as politicos will ensure he [police chief] keeps his office.

Kodituwakku was among over a half a dozen DIGs who were recalled to service soon after the PA won the August 1994 parliamentary election. Except for him, the others had retired in the past few years, police officials said claiming that now efforts are being made to keep Kodituwakku in office, even after he reaches 60 in the second week of January.

The government recently hinted that there would not be any change at the top when the PA overlooked the second senior most officer A. S. Seneviratne and the third, H. M. G. B. Kotakadeniya to act for Kodituwakku when he went on medical leave just weeks before the October, 2000 parliamentary election. Instead, senior DIG T. E. Anandarajah fourth on the seniority list, was appointed the acting police chief during the election period.

But, five months ago, when Kodituwakku accompanied by two other DIGs were away in China and Bangkok on official work, Kotakadeniya acted for him.

Kodituwakku returned to work two weeks ago. However, a week after he resumed work, the Supreme Court rejected an application filed by him praying for leave to appeal against the judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered on May 6, this year in connection with a writ application filed by Kotakadeniya challenging his transfer from a post held by a senior DIG to a division headed by a SSP. The Court ordered the police chief to personally pay Rs. 5,000 costs to Kotakadeniya.

Anandarajah is followed in the seniority order by DIGs, Samarasinghe, Chandra Fernando, Gamini Randeniya, Indra Silva, Jayatissa Herath and Lionel Karunasena.

Police headquarters officials said that although Kodituwakku was likely to get another term, four DIGs, P. K. C. Perera, Camilus Abeygoonewardena, O. K. Hemachandra and Sivaratnam were scheduled to retire between January-March period after reaching the retirement age.

These sources also scotched speculation that an officer who retired a couple of years ago after returning to service following the PA’s August 1994 election victory , was seeking to replace Kodituwakku. "Highly unlikely," a policeman commented pointing out that the officer was not likely to return for the second time.

However, another said that anything was possible. For those who appointed a 44-member cabinet and 35 deputies, nothing was impossible and reminded that there was a time when there were almost 50 DIGs during the UNP administration.

There are 34 DIGs in service now.