SMS to serve in emergency
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- Published on Wednesday, 15 August 2012 13:59
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The Police Department is to introduce a novel emergency service system through SMS, commencing on the 146th Police Day which falls on September 3. With the implementation of the new SMS process public can send a text message to police emergency service which will then be forwarded to the relevant police stations by police head quarters. The new scheme has been introduced by Senior DIG, Administration, Gamini Navaratne under the directions of the IGP N K Ilangakoon.
The system will enable public to send emergency messages via SMS without delay. The public can use any network to send SMS to a number which will be notified on September 3.
The process is a development of the 119 emergency service which the police introduced several years ago. It was further widened by allowing 20 callers to connect 119 at any given time. The 119 emergency service seems insufficient as the Police are receiving around 6500 telephone calls via 119 and many find it difficult to connect due to traffic.
As a result, a year ago Police introduced 'tell IGP' an email service to make complaints and send messages, nevertheless, still there was need for another option for the public to contact Police in an emergency.
However, false information sent to 119 by calling in or by SMS will be a punishable offence under chapter 180 of the Penal Code and if found guilty, one will be imprisoned for six months, including a fine.
The Police also state that defamation or baseless allegations against a certain person is a punishable offence under chapter 208 of the Penal Code.
The punishment will be two years imprisonment and a fine. Police request the public to refrain from giving false information against anybody.
