Jan 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says the proposed Criminal Procedure (Special Provision) Bill would give more powers to a police that has been politicized.

JVP Propaganda Secretary, parliamentarian Vijitha Herath told a news conference today that the proposed legislation would enable the detention of persons taken into custody for a period of 48 hours by a police that has been politicized by the current administration.

He explained that Sri Lanka's police is no longer independent following the introduction of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution that has annulled the independent police commission.

He observed that under the proposed legislation police could detain a person for 48 hours without presenting before a court and this could be used for political purposes.

According to Herath, it is yet another move by the government in its move to suppress forces against it.