By Hemantha Randunu
IGP Lucky Kodituwakku’s son ASP Ranmal Kodituwakku of the Panadura Reactionary Force has been transferred to the Mount Lavinia division following the arrest of some underworld criminals operating under the cover of a powerful PA politician in Panadura.

Police sources said that the PA politician angry over the arrest of some of his subordinates operating as the "Hathe Kalliya" (Gang of Seven) an underworld criminal group, had taken steps to see that ASP Ranmal Kodituwakku was transferred out of Panadura.

Police sources further said that the politician had threatened ASP Ranmal Kodituwakku when his subordinates were arrested. This same politician, during the last general election had taken steps to transfer ASP Ranmal Kodituwakku from Panadura to the police intelligence unit, after he tried to prevent some of their unlawful activities during the campaign.

ASP Ranmal Kodituwakku returned to Panadura on the 20th of this month but was able to carry out his duties only for a short time as this politician who was pursuing him took steps to have him transferred again to Mount Lavinia.

It is also reliably learnt that supporters of the government politician were engaged in a mud slinging campaign against ASP Kodituwakku even using the state media.

Police sources close to ASP Kodituwakku said that he was planning to serve in operational areas due to his disillusionment with the state of affairs.

After ASP Kodituwakku took office in the Panadura Reactionary Unit he took steps to curb criminal activities in the area and arrested a number of criminals. During his stay, he was also able to recover a number illegal weapons used in criminal activities by underworld gangsters.