I read with interest the letter by former Senior DIG Mr. Edward Gunawardena, published on 10th June 2009, and couldn’t agree with him more.

It is the unrelenting searches and examination of vehicles and buildings that protected the south from further suicide bomb attacks and assassinations. The Sri Lanka Police deserve the undying gratitude of the public.

What intrigues me is what specific honour was bestowed upon the IGP? All Service Chiefs were moved up one level in rank and therefore will also benefit from the higher emoluments and greater perks of such office even in retirement.

The IGP being at the apex of the ladder could move no further in terms of rank. I wonder if the State could create a special rank befitting the service to the nation by the present incumbent? Maybe Mr. Gunawardena with his in depth knowledge of the police and its functioning could enlighten us as to such a possibility and if there is an appropriate precedent in other countries using a similar rank structure.

The present IGP being specifically thus honoured would be an honour bestowed on his predecessors in office too for they too fought the battle and passed on the torch, keeping the men, women and children safe in their homes as they went about their daily business. Lack of such vigilance could have made matters far graver and tragic than it was.

I doff my hat to you Mr. I.G.P as a fellow Lankan for a job well planned and executed.