By Kalinga Weerakkody
Three police officers who led crackdown on crime, vice and handled law and order in an impartial manner during the October general election in Kandy have been transferred to operational areas with immediate effect, police sources said.

The three officers are Sub-Inspector I. M. Karunaratne, Public Relations Officer to the former DIG Kandy, Sirisena Herath, OIC Kandy Special Investigation Unit, K. M. S. Bowala and Sub-Inspector Amarasinghe, Vice Branch.

DIG. Kandy Sirisena Herath was the first to be transferred a fortnight ago after Power and Energy Minister Gen. Anuruddha Ratwatte took oaths as Deputy Defence Minister for the second time.

Inspector Bowala of the Special Unit formed to crackdown LTTE cadres who had infiltrated Kandy, was responsible for the arrest of over 150 LTTE cadres including the main suspect in the Galadari Hotel bomb explosion, served Kandy since 1995.

A number arrest of LTTE men behind blasting of transformers were also apprehended by this police officer. He also caught the main suspect in the Dalada Maligawa bomb attack who drew the plan.

Several LTTE cadres who entered Kandy under the guise of 'Pusaris' to carry out suicide attacks were also captured by teams led by Inspector Bowala.

Sub-Inspector Amarasinghe of the Vice-Branch has arrested several political gangsters during the last general election and those who threatend policemen opposite the Kandy Police on the day after elections.

Police sources said that SI Amarasinghe was also a member of the Police team that investigated into the allegations made against Gen. Ratwatte's son who was taken into custody, produced in court and later discharged.

Sources said the Special Investigation Unit set up under former DIG Herath has been disbanded at present.