In recent times, our newspapers have often referred to Interpol. Several fugitives who have escaped from Sri Lankan justice are supposed to be wanted by Interpol. Newspapers often refer to these criminals as ‘wanted by Interpol’. It looks as if this had become a mark of honour, particularly for our master swindlers.

What is Interpol? Perhaps many have only heard about it. Its full name is The International Criminal Police Organisation. It has 187 member countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation and assists organisations that prevent and combat international crime.

The General Secretariat of Interpol is located in Lyon, France and operates 24 hours a day under the Secretary General.

Each member country maintains a National Central Bureau staffed by its local police officers. This is the contact point for the General Secretariat, regional offices and other member countries requiring assistance with overseas investigations and the location and apprehension of fugitives.

Sri Lanka is a member country of Interpol paying a substantial annual subscription fee. Its NCB is located within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and this is considered one of the latter’s important desks. Delegates from Sri Lanka attend the annual General Assembly Sessions at which all important decisions related to policy, resources, working methods, finances, activities and programmes are determined.

The worrying question is why this prestigious, exclusive and powerful international police organisation cannot arrest the few big Sri Lankan swindlers who are at large overseas?

Interpol has even failed to arrest one of the World’s most wanted international terrorists and gun runners known as ‘KP’.

To Sri Lankans, Interpol sounds hollow. The General Assembly should take note of this and get the Executive Committee and General Secretariat to rid the organisation of its lethargy.