July 06, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning, Defense, Ports and Aviation, and Highway participated in the parliamentary consultative meetings of the respective ministries at the Parliament today.

During the discussions on defence matters the President, in response to demands of the public, has focused his attention on the increasing crime in the country and called for establishing new police stations and checkpoints in the country to battle criminal activities.

President Rajapaksa has advised the Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Ilangakoon to submit a report on where the new police stations and check points should be established.

The report will be studied by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Defence and future measures will be taken under the recommendations of the committee, President's media unit said.

Increasing trend of crimes, population density and several other criteria will be considered for recommending the establishment of new police stations.

Ministers, parliamentarians, tri-forces commanders, Police Chief, Secretaries of relevant ministries and Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa were present at the consultative committee meeting.

(Photos by Sudath Silva)