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Sri Lanka Police
ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොලීසිය
இலங்கை பொலிஸ்
Crest
Crest
Shoulder flash with languages Sinhalese, English and Tamil around a Dhammachakra Wheel
Shoulder flash with languages Sinhalese, English and Tamil around a Dhammachakra Wheel
Flag
Flag
MottoPali: ධම්මො හවෙ රකඛති ධම්මචාරි, romanized: Dhammo Havē Rakkhathi Dhammacāri
(The one who lives by the Dhamma is protected by the Dhamma itself)
Agency overview
Formed3 September 1866; 159 years ago (1866-09-03)
Preceding agency
  • Ceylon Police Force (1866–1972)
Employees76,139 (2016)[1]
Annual budgetRs 64.1 billion (2016)[1]
Jurisdictional structure
National agency
(Operations jurisdiction)		Sri Lanka
Operations jurisdictionSri Lanka
Legal jurisdictionAs per operations jurisdiction
Governing bodyGovernment of Sri Lanka
General nature
Operational structure
Overseen byNational Police Commission
HeadquartersPolice Headquarters, Church Street, Colombo 1
Elected officer responsible
Agency executive
Parent agencyMinistry of Public Security
Child agencies
Facilities
Stations432
Police carsHyundai Elantra, Mitsubishi Lancer GLX
Police SUVsToyota Land Cruiser (J70), Mitsubishi Montero, Tata Sumo
Police MotorcyclesYamaha FJR1300P, BMW R1200GS, Yamaha XT250, Yamaha FZ6R, Suzuki GN250
Notables
Award
Website
www.police.lk

Sri Lanka Police (Sinhala: ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොලීසිය, romanized: Śrī Laṁkā Polīsiya; Tamil: இலங்கை காவல், romanized: Ilaṅkai Kāval) is the civilian national police force of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The police force is responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout Sri Lanka. The police force consists of 43 Territorial Divisions, 67 Functional Divisions, 607 Police Stations with more than 84,000 people.[2] The professional head of the police is the Inspector General of Police who reports to the Ministry of Public Security as well as the National Police Commission. The current Inspector General of Police is Priyantha Weerasooriya.[3]

During the Sri Lankan civil war, the police service became an integral part of maintaining of the nation's security, primarily focusing on internal security. Many police officers have been killed in the line of duty mainly due to terrorist attacks.

Sri Lanka Police officers on independence day parade

Specially trained commando/counter-terrorist units named Special Task Force are deployed in joint operations with the armed forces for counter-terrorism operations and VVIP protection.[4] The police command structure in Northern and Eastern provinces is closely integrated with the other security organisations under the authority of the Joint Operations Command.

The Police service can be reached across Sri Lanka on the 119 emergency number.[5]

Roles

[edit]
  • Law enforcement
    • Fighting crime
    • Carrying out investigations
    • Drug enforcement
  • Security of police
    • Keeping public security
    • Maintaining public order
    • Counter-terrorism
    • Securing public events, rallies and holidays
    • Riot control / crowd control
    • Intelligence services
    • Providing VIP security (VVIP security is handled by the Special Task Force)
    • Handling suspicious objects and bomb disposal (EOD) (handled by the Special Task Force)
    • Handling the local command of the Home Guard
    • Assisting the Prison Service in prisoner transport and control of prison unrest
  • Traffic control
  • Coordinating emergency services
  • Police and community
    • Handling civilian complaints
    • Handling youth violence and crime
    • Educating the community and participating in educational campaigns
    • Providing ceremonial escorts to the President, the Prime Minister and foreign ambassadors on state functions
    • Assist and coordinate community policing

Offences investigated

[edit]
  • Offences against the State.
  • Offences relating to the Navy, Army and Air Force.
  • Offences relating to the Elections.
  • Offences relating to Coins, Currency and Government Stamps.
  • Any Offence committed against the President.
  • Any Offence committed against a Public Officer, a Judicial Officer, or the Speaker, or the Prime Minister or a Minister, or a Member of the Judicial Service Commission, or a Member of the Public Service Commission or a Deputy Minister or a Member of Parliament or the Secretary General of Parliament or a Member of the President's Staff or a Member of the Staff of the Secretary General of Parliament.
  • Any Offence relating to property belonging to the State or a State Corporation or Company or Establishment, the whole or part of the capital whereof has been provided by the State.
  • Any Offence prejudicial to National Security or the maintenance of Essential Services.
  • Any Offence under any law relating to any matter in the Reserve List other than such offences as the President may, by order published in the Gazette, exclude.
  • Any Offence in respect of which Courts in more than one Province have jurisdiction.
  • International Crimes.

History

[edit]
Police Constables with Walisinghe Harischandra following his arrest in 1903.
Seal of the Ceylon Police Force

Timeline of significant events:[6]

1797: The office of Fiscal was created. Fredric Barron Mylius was appointed as Fiscal of Colombo and entrusted with responsibility of policing Colombo.

1806: The regulation No. 6 of 1806 appointed a Vidane Arachchi to each town or village, for prevention and detection of crime in rural areas.

1832: A committee appointed by the governor was instructed to form a police force. It was decided by this committee that the new police force was to be funded by a tax to be paid by the public. It consisted of one Superintendent, one Chief Constable, five Constables, ten Sergeants and 150 Peons. They were responsible for maintaining law and order in the capital city of Colombo.

1844: As the police force was restricted to coastal areas only, a second police force was created to cater to the country's interior.

1858: The police force in the coastal area and the police force in the hill country were unified and amalgamated.

1864: The first death of a police officer whilst on duty occurred when he attempted to apprehend a brigand by the name of "Saradiel", who was subsequently compared to Robin Hood.

1865: The Police Ordinance was enacted to stipulate the powers and responsibilities of policemen.

1866: William Robert Campbell, then the chief of police in the Indian province of Rathnageri, was appointed as Chief Superintendent of Police in Ceylon on 3 September 1866. This date is considered as the beginning of the Sri Lanka Police Service.

1867: The Chief of Police was designated as the Inspector General of Police. William Robert Campbell became the first Inspector General of Police. The Police Headquarters was founded at Maradana, in the City of Colombo.

1870: Muslim rioters attacked the Police Headquarters. The police were successful in repulsing the attack, but the building was damaged. This year, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was formed.

1879: The strength of the police force had tripled from 585 when IGP Campbell was appointed, to a force of 1528. The first police firing range, training college and the publishing of the annual administration report emerged during this year.

1892: The Depot Police presently known as the Field Force Headquarters was formed. Uniforms and housing were made free for police officers. The payment of a Good Conduct Allowance was initiated.

1908: Fingerprinting and photographing of criminals were initiated, along with the direct recruitment to the rank of Assistant Superintendents of Police.

1913: Herbert Layard Dowbiggin was appointed as the 8th Inspector General of Police. 119 police stations were in operation with a total strength of 2306.

1915: For the first time two officers were appointed as Deputy Inspectors General of Police.

1916: 0.22-caliber rifles were issued in place of shotguns.

1920: For the first time, police officers were deployed for the purpose of controlling traffic.

1923: A book containing comprehensive details regarding all aspects of the police, the Departmental Order Book, was formulated.

1926: The Sport Division was established.

1930: A handbook of traffic rules and regulations was issued for traffic duties.

1932: The Police Headquarters was moved from Maradana to its present location in Colombo Fort.

1938: Police telephone boxes were deployed throughout the city of Colombo.

1942: Temporary forces were employed, known as Temporary Police Constables.

1945: Police units were deployed at all hospitals. Additional units were also deployed for railway security. However, in the following year, the railway police force was discontinued as a necessity for it did not arise.

1952: Women were enrolled to the police force for the first time. VHF radios were introduced for communication. It was decided that in honour of police officers killed in the line of duty, state funerals with full police honours would be held. In addition the police flag would be flown at half mast throughout the country.

1954: Police stations were graded into five classifications, Grades "E" to "A". The grading of police stations was considered depending on the workload, population, locality, crimes, important institutions, etc., in the area.

1963: Divisions in the police were made as North, Central, South, Administration, and Criminal Investigation Department. D. B. I. P. S. Siriwardane, a civil servant, was the first civilian to be appointed as the Deputy Inspector of Police in charge of Administration.

1966: The Police Public Relations Division was established on 1 October 1966, at Police Headquarters, Colombo.

1969: The Tourist Police and the Illicit Immigration sector were established in March 1969.

1972: The Crime Detective Bureau was started on 1 August 1972.

1973: On 15 August 1973 the Police Narcotics Bureau was started. The Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau was also established.

1974: The uniforms for constables and sergeants were changed.

1976: The rank of Woman Police Sub Inspector was introduced. Two women police officers were promoted to the rank of Sub Inspector.

1978: The Police Higher Training Institute was established.

1979: The Children & Women Bureau was established.

1983: The Police Special Task Force was established.

1985: A new promotion scheme was introduced from the rank of Police Constable up to the rank of Inspector of Police.

1988: A Woman Police Inspector was promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police.

1989: Women were recruited and enlisted as Sub Inspectors.

1991: The Sri Lanka Police celebrated 125 years of policing in Sri Lanka.

1993: The Police Information Technology Division was established.

1998: The Marine Division was established.

1999: The Ombudsman Division was established.

2000: The Police Examination Division was established.

2002: Human Rights Division and Disappearances Investigation Unit established.

2004: The Judicial Security Division was established.

2005: The Colombo Crime Division was established.

2006: The Reserve Police Force was abolished and its officers were transferred to the regular police force.

2008: The Police Academy was established in 2008 with the amalgamation of the Police Higher Training Institute and the In-Service Training Division, which are now divisions of the Sri Lanka Police Academy.

Now there are 607 Police Stations in Sri Lanka

Organisation

[edit]

The Sri Lanka Police is headed by the Inspector General of Police, who has, in theory, autonomy to commanding the service from the Police Headquarters in Colombo, and support by the Police Field Force Headquarters. However, in the recent past the Police Service has come under the purview of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), with the exception of several years when it came under the Ministry of Internal Affairs but was transferred to the MoD. In the last few years there have been calls to reestablish the independent National Police Commission[7] to oversee transfers and promotions, thereby making the service autonomous and free from any influence.

The police service is organised into five primary geographic commands, known as ranges (Range I, II, III, IV, V), covering the northern, western, eastern and southern sectors of the island under the command of a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG). The ranges were subdivided into divisions, districts, and police stations; Colombo was designated as a special range. Each police division headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) covers a single province, and a police district headed by a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) covers a single district of the country. In 1913 there were a total of 119 police stations throughout the country, that number has increased to 432 in 2020.[2]

With the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War the strength and the number of stations have increased. Since 1971 the police service has suffered large number of casualties, with officers and constables killed and wounded as a result of terrorists and insurgents.[8] In more remote rural areas beyond the immediate range of existing police stations, enforcement of simple crimes are carried out by the Grama Seva Niladhari (village service officers), but this has now become rare, with most villages covered by new police stations.

In addition to its regular forces, the police service operated a reserve contingent until 2007 when the Reserve Police Force was disbanded and its personnel transferred to the regular police force.[9] The police service has a number of specialised units responsible for investigative, protective, counter-terrorism and paramilitary functions.

Investigation of organised criminal activity and detective work are handled by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the command of a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). More coordinated threats to internal security, such as that posed by the radical Sinhalese JVP in the 1980s, were the responsibility of the Counter Subversive Division, which was primarily an investigative division,[10] and which has since been replaced by the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID). The TID carries out counter-terrorism investigations and threats to internal security from the LTTE.

Protective security units which are entrusted the security includes the Ministerial Security Division (elected public figures), Diplomatic Security Division (foreign diplomats) and Judicial Security Division (judges). The President's Security Division and the Prime Minister's Security Division function independently but consist of mostly police personnel.

Other specialised units includes the Information Technology Division, the Mounted Division, the Anti-riot Squad, Traffic Police, K9 units, the Marine Division, the Police Narcotic Bureau, and the Children & Women Bureau. The police service also operates the Sri Lanka Police College[11] of personnel training and the Police Hospital.

Special Task Force
Main article: Special Task Force (Sri Lanka)

Special Task Force is one of the special operational units in the Police Service. This police paramilitary force was set up on 1 March 1983 with the assistance of foreign advisers (primarily former British Special Air Service personnel under the auspices of Keeny Meeny Services). Its 1,100-member force was organised into seven companies and trained in counterinsurgency techniques. It played a major role in the government's combined force operations against the Tamil Tigers in Eastern Province before July 1987. Following the signing of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, the Special Task Force was redesignated the Police Special Force, and deployed in the Southern Province, where it immediately went into action against the JVP terrorists. Companies of the force also served in rotation as part of the presidential security guard.

Internal intelligence

Until 1984 the police were responsible for national (local) intelligence functions, first under the Special Branch (est. 1966 as part of the CID), and later under the Intelligence Services Division. The perceived failure of the Intelligence Services Division during the riots of July 1983 led the J.R. Jayawardene government to reevaluate the nation's intelligence network, and in 1984 the president set up a National Intelligence Bureau. The new organisation combined intelligence units from the army, navy, air force, and police. It was headed by a deputy inspector general of police who reported directly to the Ministry of Defence.

Specialised units and divisions

[edit]
Protective units
Counter-terrorist units
Crime-investigation units
Law enforcement
  • Traffic Police
  • Tourist Police
  • Anti-Riot Squad
  • Police Kennels (K9 units)
  • Ombudsman Division
  • Strategic Development Division (community policing)[12]
Support units
Technology infrastructure
  • Police Information Technology Division[13]
  • Police Communication Division
  • Police CCTV Division
  • Police Public Relations Division
  • Police Tell IGP Unit[14]
  • Police 119 Call Center

Peacekeeping and international deployments

[edit]

In recent years members of the Sri Lanka Police have taken part in international deployments either as advisers, observers or seconded police officers for United Nations missions. These include:

Ranks

[edit]

Senior officers

[edit]
Gazetted Ranks
Sri Lanka Police[18]
Inspector general of police
(IGP) 		Senior deputy inspector general of police
(SDIG) 		Deputy inspector general of police
(DIG) 		Senior superintendent of police
(SSP) 		Superintendent of police
(SP) 		Assistant superintendent of police
(ASP) 		Chief inspector of police
(CIP) 		Inspector of police
(IP) 		Sub inspector of police
(SI)

Other ranks

[edit]
Sergeants Constables
Sri Lanka Police[18]
Police sergeant major
(PSM) 		Police sergeant class 1
(PS) 		Police sergeant class 2
(PS) 		Police constable class 1
(PC) 		Police constable class 2
(PC) 		Police constable class 3
(PC) 		Police constable class 4
(PC)

Gazetted officers

[edit]

A gazetted officer is a police officer in the Sri Lanka Police Service whose name is published in the Police Gazette of Sri Lanka. They are equal to commissioned officers.

Requirement

[edit]

Requirement to the police service is carried out at four stages. These stages are based upon the entry ranks and educational qualifications of the recruits.[19]

  • Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police - Male/female graduates (aged 22–26 years) may apply and must face an entrance exam.
  • Probationary Sub Inspector of Police - Males/females who have passed GCE Advanced Levels (aged 18–25 years) may apply and must face an endurance test and a written exam.
  • Police Constable - Males who have passed GCE Ordinary Levels (aged 18–25 years) may apply and must face an endurance test and a written exam.
  • Women Police Constable - Females who have passed GCE Ordinary Levels (aged 18–25 years) may apply and must face an endurance test and a written exam.
  • Police Constable Drivers - Those who complete up to grade 7 at school or higher with valid driving license (aged 19–35 years) may apply and must face an endurance test and a written exam.

Composition of the police service

[edit]

Since its establishment in the 19th century, the police service has been a centrally controlled national police force. Due to this, its personnel are not recruited and deployed provincially. During the colonial period much of its senior officers were British, with lower ranks made up of natives. However this composition did not mirror the racial composition of the island. Many of the locals in the Ceylon Police Force were Burghers, followed by Sinhalese and Tamils. This was common in the government sector and continued until the mid-1950s. Following political efforts to balance the racial composition of the police service to mirror that of society, and due to the civil war, the composition has become imbalanced once again, with the majority of the officers being Sinhalese. Currently steps are being taken to address this and personnel of all entry levels are recruited from all racial groups of the island.[20]

Uniforms

[edit]

Historical

[edit]
Ceylonese policeman in colonial uniform shown here after arresting the well known Sri Lankan bandit Sura Saradiel's lifelong friend Mammale Marikkar

With the establishment of the Ceylon Police in 1866, standard uniforms based on the ones of the British police forces were adapted. Officers of the grade of Inspector and above who were mostly British wore white colonial uniforms, which are still used today for ceremonial occasions. Constables wore dark blue tunics, shorts and a black round cap with a collar number. Khaki uniforms were adopted by the beginning of the 20th century for practical reasons, along with other military and police units of the British Empire. This was common for all ranks, with the constables wearing khaki tunics, shorts and hat, while always armed with a baton until 1974.

Current

[edit]
Standard traffic police uniform
Special Task Force personnel in DPM camouflage and armed with MP5s during a parade in 2012

The current standard uniform comes from the last major changes made in 1974. However, several additions have been made since then for practical reasons. The old white uniform still remain as the full-dress uniform of gazetted officers above the rank of sub inspector SI, only worn for ceremonial occasions and weddings. This includes white tunic, trousers (or skirt), and medals, and is adorned with black epaulettes with rank insignia, a black leather cross belt with the lion head badge with whistle and chain, police badge-affixed black leather pouch, sword, and a white pith helmet. Senior gazetted officers (of and above ranks of ASP) may wear a waist sash in gold colour instead of the cross belt. Mounted officers wear a red tunic for ceremonial occasions with a gold cross belt and a black custodian helmet. Gazetted officers above the rank of sub inspector (SI), carry swords, and constables carry lances with a police pennant.[21]

The No.01 khaki uniform is worn for most formal occasions. This consists of a dark khaki jacket adorned with black epaulettes (Gazetted officers above the rank of sub inspector - SI), white shirt, black tie with dark khaki trousers or a skirt, black peaked cap and medals.

The No.02 khaki uniform is the normal working uniform of all police officers. It consists of a dark khaki shirt (long or short sleeved), dark khaki trousers or a skirt, black peaked cap, and medals ribbons. Gazetted officers of and above the grade of superintendent wear black "gorget patches" on all types of uniforms. Officers above the rank of sub inspector SI, tend to wear a short sleeve tunic like a "bush jacket" as part of their No.02 khaki uniform. Black sam browne belts are worn by Officers above the rank of sub inspector - SI, with traffic policemen wearing white peak caps and the white belt with sam browne belts on their khaki uniforms. Constables and sergeants wear their service numbers on their uniforms. For practical reasons overalls of green or black may be worn with boots when necessary.[21]

Special Task Force personnel usually wear khaki uniforms which are slightly lighter in colour. They tend to wear DPM camouflage uniforms with boots and bright green berets.

Awards and decorations

[edit]
Main article: Awards and decorations of the Sri Lanka Police

The Sri Lanka Police has its own awards and decorations that are awarded to its officers for services in the line of duty.

Weapons

[edit]

Sri Lanka Police officers normally don't carry weapons (but are advised to). The Special Task Force with its wide range of duties is equipped with a greater variety of firearms and a higher degree of firepower to carry out military type counter-terrorism operations.

Vehicles

[edit]

Notable officers killed in the line of duty or assassinated

[edit]
  • SDIG T.N. De Silva - Senior DIG Colombo Range, killed by a LTTE suicide bomb attack on 18 December 1999[26][27][28][29]
  • DIG Bennet Perera - Director, Criminal Investigation Department (CID); shot dead on 1 May 1989 in Mount Lavinia; JVP suspected.[30]
  • SSP Ranwalage Sirimal Perera - Superintendent of Police; killed with president Premadasa by a LTTE suicide bomb attack on 1 May 1993
  • DIG Terrence Perera - Director, Counter Subversive Division; shot dead on 12 December 1987 in Talangama; JVP suspected.[31]
  • DIG Upul Seneviratne - Director of Training, Special Task Force; killed in a roadside bombing on 7 August 2006, LTTE suspected[32]
  • DIG Charles Wijewardhana - Superintendent of Police, Jaffna; abducted and killed in Jaffna on 5 August 2005, LTTE suspected[33]
  • Constable Sabhan - The origin of the annual Police Day commemoration dates back to 21 March 1864, when Constable Sabhan died of gunshot injuries received during a police raid to apprehend the notorious bandit Utuwankande Sura Saradiel.[34]

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Police of Sri Lanka.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sri Lanka Police

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The is the principal civilian of , responsible for enforcing criminal and laws, preventing and investigating , maintaining public order, and ensuring across the island. Established on 3 September 1866 under British colonial administration through Police Ordinance No. 16 of 1865, with G. W. R. Campbell as its first (later designated ), the force evolved from rudimentary colonial policing structures initiated by the Dutch in 1659 and formalized by the British in the . Headed by the of Police and operating under the Ministry of Public Security with oversight from the National Police Commission, it comprises a hierarchical structure of ranks from constables to senior officers, including specialized units such as the Special Task Force for counter-terrorism and high-risk operations. Throughout its history, the Sri Lanka Police has played a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation during multiple insurgencies, including the (JVP) uprisings in the 1970s and 1980s, and the protracted civil conflict with the (LTTE) from 1983 to 2009, where police personnel endured targeted massacres—such as the 1990 killing of over 600 officers who surrendered under false assurances—and contributed to the government's ultimate military victory against the terrorist group through frontline engagements and intelligence efforts. The force has achieved notable successes in crime detection, with rates approaching 60% for serious offenses in recent assessments, and in disrupting networks, including the 2025 extradition or of multiple international fugitives involved in underworld activities. However, the police have been marred by persistent controversies, including documented instances of custodial deaths, , and extrajudicial actions, particularly during counter-insurgency operations, with international reports highlighting for such violations amid broader systemic issues like and politicization—though many such accounts from NGOs and Western governments exhibit selective outrage and overlook the existential threats posed by insurgent atrocities against . Efforts at , including modernization through for public complaints and initiatives, continue to address these challenges while prioritizing empirical improvements in operational and .

Mandate and Responsibilities

Core Law Enforcement Functions

The Sri Lanka Police's core functions center on upholding and enforcing the , preserving public order, and preventing to ensure public safety and security. Established under the Police Ordinance, these duties emphasize the protection of persons and property through proactive measures such as patrolling, , and rapid response to disturbances. Officers are required to prevent offenses, apprehend disorderly individuals, and execute lawful orders from magistrates and superior authorities, forming the foundational operational framework of the force. Crime prevention constitutes a primary responsibility, involving intelligence gathering, surveillance, and community-based initiatives to deter before they occur. This includes conducting raids, awareness programs with civil security committees, and collaboration with specialized units to address emerging threats like and drug trafficking. In 2023, the police achieved 100% of targeted outputs in crime-solving raids and public awareness efforts, demonstrating operational focus on preemptive action. Public order maintenance entails dispersing unlawful assemblies, managing riots, and ensuring compliance during public events, with officers empowered to quarter in disturbed districts to restore stability. Traffic management and road safety enforcement represent another essential function, regulating vehicular movement, issuing licenses, and conducting enforcement operations to reduce accidents and violations. The Traffic oversees nationwide implementation, including speed monitoring, driver education seminars, and to promote law-abiding road users. These efforts extend to duties, such as responding to incidents and supporting disaster relief, integrating core policing with broader public welfare. While VIP and background verifications support these functions, they are ancillary to the frontline mandate of impartial without prejudice.

Investigation of Specific Offences

The investigates specific offences through a network of specialized departments and bureaus that handle complex cases beyond routine station-level inquiries, focusing on serious crimes such as , , financial misconduct, narcotics trafficking, and cyber offences. These units employ forensic analysis, gathering, and inter-agency coordination to build prosecutable cases under the Penal Code and relevant statutes. The (CID), headed by a Senior Deputy Inspector General, leads probes into high-profile and interstate offences, including murders, kidnappings, and unsolved cases requiring advanced investigative techniques. The CID collaborates with forensic experts and international bodies like for evidence collection and suspect apprehension. In 2025, the CID initiated inquiries into narcotics-related involving former bureau chiefs, demonstrating its role in internal accountability probes. Financial offences fall under the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), which targets , , , and economic sabotage, often working alongside the Commission to Investigate Allegations of or (CIABOC). The FCID has conducted joint operations with the CID and State Intelligence Service, such as the October 2025 arrest of suspects in a high-profile murder tied to financial motives. Narcotics investigations are managed by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), which specializes in drug seizures, trafficking networks, and possession cases, frequently receiving consignments from naval and customs intercepts. The PNB led a major 2025 operation uncovering links to figures in a large-scale "" consignment bust. Cyber and electronic crimes are handled by the Computer Crime Investigation Division (CCID) within the CID, focusing on digital forensics, online fraud, and hacking under the Computer Crimes Act No. 24 of 2007. To address evolving threats, the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau (CCIB) was established under the CID in September 2025, comprising six specialized divisions for accelerated handling of controversial and major crimes, including organized syndicates and cold cases. Complementing this, the Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division (PCID) was launched on October 20, 2025, to trace and seize assets derived from criminal proceeds, enhancing asset recovery efforts. Provincial special crimes units, operationalized by December 2024 under Senior DIG oversight, extend these capabilities to regional hotspots, including the North and East.

National Security and Counter-Terrorism Roles

The maintains through internal policing, , and specialized operations against insurgent and terrorist threats, often in coordination with the armed forces. Its mandate includes preventing , securing borders against illicit networks, and disrupting plots that endanger public order. The Special Task Force (STF), a unit within the police established in the , specializes in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, conducting high-risk raids, hostage rescues, and joint operations to neutralize armed groups. During the from 1983 to 2009, the STF overran multiple LTTE camps in southern territories and participated in offensives against (LTTE) positions, contributing to the degradation of the group's operational capacity. In a 1998 joint operation with the in , STF forces advanced on LTTE-held areas, eliminating several militants and securing strategic points. Post-war, the STF has focused on countering extremism, , and residual threats, including radiological material security to prevent terrorist acquisition. The Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) leads intelligence-driven probes into terrorist financing, recruitment, and plots, collaborating with units and international agencies. In January 2017, TID operations disrupted a planned bombing by ex-LTTE members, averting an attack on public targets. The division's efforts intensified after the April 21, 2019, Easter Sunday bombings, where nine attackers from the ISIS-linked killed 269 people and injured over 500 in assaults on churches and hotels; TID arrests exceeded 100 suspects, leading to trials of 25 accused plotters by November 2021. Although prior warnings from Indian were not fully acted upon due to coordination gaps, resulting in for senior officials, these incidents prompted TID enhancements in border screening and network interdiction. Ongoing police counter-terrorism includes international partnerships, such as Interpol's Operation Flycatcher in 2022, which trained border officers to detect terrorist travel and dismantled LTTE-linked routes. By 2023, the government prioritized institutional reforms under the police to combat illicit financing and evolving threats from both separatist remnants and Islamist radicals.

Historical Development

Establishment in Colonial Ceylon (1866–1948)

The Ceylon Police Force was formally established on 3 September 1866, pursuant to the Police Ordinance No. 16 of 1865, which consolidated and regulated policing across the British colony of Ceylon by creating a centralized, uniformed service responsible for crime prevention, detection, and public order maintenance. This ordinance replaced fragmented local arrangements, including military-led policing in urban areas inherited from Dutch rule and early British administration, with a structured force drawing from British models like the . G. W. R. Campbell, previously involved in ranger units, was appointed the inaugural of Police by Governor Henry Ward, overseeing an initial cadre focused on unifying island-wide operations from . In 1867, an amendment to the ordinance redesignated the head of the force as , a title retained to the present day, granting the office authority over discipline, recruitment, and deployment under the colonial government. The force adopted standard British-style uniforms and ranks, including Inspectors, Sergeants, and Constables, with early expansions dividing into divisions and appointing figures like Thomas Oswin as the first Superintendent of Police. By the late , the police had grown to handle routine enforcement alongside suppressing unrest, such as banditry in rural areas, while incorporating limited local recruits; Lokubanda Dunuwila became the first Sinhalese Superintendent in . Throughout the colonial era, the Ceylon Police operated as an arm of British administration, prioritizing the protection of colonial interests, revenue collection, and quelling disturbances, including the 1915 communal riots where was invoked and police assisted military efforts. Structural developments included the addition of specialized roles and stations, with expanding to cover the island's provinces amid growing population and economic activity under plantation economies. Recruitment remained predominantly European-led at senior levels until the mid-20th century, reflecting colonial hierarchies, though gradual indigenization occurred; in June 1947, Sir Richard Aluvihare was appointed the first Ceylonese , signaling shifts toward . continued until Ceylon's independence on 4 February 1948, after which it transitioned into a national institution serving the newly independent dominion.

Post-Independence Expansion (1948–1983)

Following from British rule on February 4, 1948, the Ceylon Police Force underwent , with Sir Richard Aluwihare appointed as the first Sri Lankan on June 1, 1947, prior to formal , marking the transition to local leadership and alignment under the . This shift emphasized transforming the force from a colonial apparatus into a focused on maintaining law and order, preventing , and detection, while introducing welfare measures for personnel, improved programs, and organizational efficiencies to enhance operational effectiveness. Early post-independence initiatives included the establishment of a police canine unit in 1948 for investigative and tracking purposes, expanding specialized capabilities beyond traditional methods. policies evolved to include women officers starting in 1952, with female personnel advancing from ranks through structured promotions, reflecting efforts to broaden the force's composition amid growing societal demands. Additional innovations under Aluwihare's tenure encompassed crime prevention societies, rural volunteer programs, police kennels for dog handling, and units to foster and trust. The force expanded its infrastructure to address population growth and rural-urban shifts, reaching 260 police stations by 1974, which facilitated broader coverage for routine policing and emergency response in remote areas. This period saw the police handling escalating internal challenges, including communal riots in and the 1971 Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) insurrection, where officers were deployed alongside military units to suppress armed uprisings, underscoring the need for increased manpower and tactical readiness without formal militarization. By the early , these pressures prompted further structural adaptations, culminating in the creation of the Police Special Task Force in 1983 to bolster counter-insurgency and VIP protection roles amid rising ethnic tensions.

Civil War Engagement (1983–2009)

The Sri Lanka Police assumed expanded counter-insurgency responsibilities during the civil war, which intensified after the July 1983 anti-Tamil riots triggered widespread LTTE attacks on security forces and civilians. Operating primarily in the northern and eastern provinces, police personnel manned remote stations, conducted patrols, and supported military efforts against LTTE militants seeking to establish a separate Tamil state. This shift transformed the police from a domestic law enforcement body into a frontline force confronting guerrilla tactics, including ambushes, bombings, and assassinations targeting officers. The Special Task Force (STF), a specialized unit within the police established in 1979 and trained for high-risk operations, emerged as the primary arm for engaging LTTE fighters. Deployed initially to bolster northern police outposts, the STF executed raids, intelligence-driven arrests, and joint operations with the army, focusing on disrupting LTTE supply lines and leadership in the Eastern Province. By the 1990s, STF commandos, often trained by foreign experts including British SAS advisors, specialized in urban combat and , contributing to the recapture of LTTE-held areas during Eelam War II (1990–1995). Their effectiveness stemmed from mobility, local intelligence networks, and coordination with naval interdictions against LTTE sea smuggling. Police forces endured severe attrition, exemplified by the LTTE's June 11, 1990, in the Eastern , where over 600 surrendering officers were disarmed under false truce promises and executed en masse after the withdrawal. Throughout the conflict, LTTE targeted police infrastructure, destroying over 400 stations and killing thousands of personnel through suicide bombings and sniper attacks. In the war's final phase (Eelam War IV, 2006–2009), the STF played a decisive role in clearing and districts by mid-2007, severing LTTE eastern strongholds and enabling army advances northward, which culminated in the militants' defeat on , 2009. While police engagements weakened LTTE operational capacity, reports from organizations documented instances of excessive force and civilian casualties by STF units, often in response to LTTE's use of human shields and indiscriminate ; however, LTTE's designation as a terrorist group by multiple nations underscored the insurgents' initiation of asymmetric violence against state forces. Post-2009 analyses credit STF innovations in small-unit tactics for shifting momentum against LTTE's conventional buildup, though accountability for wartime abuses remains contested amid allegations of institutional bias in international monitoring bodies favoring insurgent narratives.

Post-War Reconstruction and Modernization (2009–Present)

Following the defeat of the in May 2009, the Sri Lanka Police transitioned from extensive counter-insurgency roles to prioritizing routine and public order maintenance, particularly in the northern and eastern provinces previously under rebel control. This shift involved demobilizing some wartime special units while retaining specialized branches for counter-terrorism and intelligence to prevent resurgence of separatist threats. initiatives emerged as a key reconstruction tool to restore trust in war-affected communities, with patrols introduced in select areas to facilitate closer officer-citizen interactions and address local security concerns stemming from decades of conflict. Training reforms gained momentum post-2009, addressing deficiencies from the war era when rapid force expansion—growing 68% between and —necessitated lowered standards and shortened durations, compromising professional quality. collaborated with the police to develop five specialized manuals, including the Community Police Basic Manual in 2011, integrated into curricula at the for new recruits and in-service officers to emphasize ethical conduct, community relations, and responsive policing. International partnerships supplemented domestic efforts, with Scottish police providing to thousands of officers from 2007 onward, extending into the period to enhance investigative skills and amid criticisms of authoritarian practices. Modernization efforts focused on institutional and operational upgrades, though implementation has been gradual amid ongoing calls for systemic change. A cabinet proposal in recent years sought to overhaul traditional policing methods with technology integration and procedural updates to improve efficiency. In November 2024, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala pledged reforms to enforce discipline, streamline recruitment, and bolster investigative capabilities. By April 2025, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake advocated for elevating qualification criteria, expanding training, and empowering specialized units to enforce effectively. The of Sri Lanka reinforced this in September 2025, recommending enhanced resource allocation, performance metrics based on professionalism rather than loyalty, and structural reforms to combat inefficiencies and erode public confidence. Despite these initiatives, challenges persisted, including politicization and human rights concerns; for instance, documented in 2022 the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act by police for prolonged detentions and coerced confessions, highlighting incomplete reforms in accountability mechanisms. Broader security sector reviews post-2009 emphasized demilitarization and job retraining for ex-combat personnel transitioning to civilian policing, yet entrenched wartime practices and resource constraints slowed progress toward a fully professionalized force.

Organizational Structure

Leadership and Rank System

The Sri Lanka Police is commanded by the (IGP), the highest-ranking officer responsible for the force's overall administration, operational command, and policy implementation from Police Headquarters in . The IGP reports to the National Police Commission and holds authority over all police personnel, with powers derived from the Police Ordinance No. 16 of 1865 and subsequent amendments. Appointment of the IGP is made by the , typically from among senior officers with extensive service, for a fixed term subject to constitutional provisions. As of August 14, 2025, Priyantha Weerasooriya, a senior officer with prior acting experience since November 2023, serves as the 37th IGP following presidential appointment. The rank system follows a hierarchical structure inherited from British colonial policing, divided into gazetted (commissioned) officers recruited through national competitive examinations and non-gazetted ranks filled primarily by internal promotions. Gazetted officers, starting from of Police (ASP), handle senior command and investigative roles, while non-gazetted personnel manage frontline duties. Promotions within ranks are based on seniority, performance evaluations, and vacancy availability, with training at institutions like the Sri Lanka Police College.
Rank CategoryRanks (Highest to Lowest)
Gazetted Officers


Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
Superintendent of Police (SP)
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)
Non-Gazetted OfficersChief Inspector of Police (CIP)
Inspector of Police (IP)
Sub-Inspector of Police (SI)
Sergeant (PS)
Insignia for ranks incorporate elements like stars, bars, and the , displayed on shoulders and collars, with variations for dress and operational uniforms to denote authority levels. The system ensures clear command chains, with DIGs and above often overseeing provincial or specialized commands under the IGP's direction.

Specialized Units and Divisions

The Sri Lanka Police operates specialized units and divisions to address targeted threats including , organized crime, cyber offenses, narcotics trafficking, and public disorder, supplementing the general duties of uniformed officers. These entities, often led by senior deputy inspectors general or dedicated directors, draw on specialized and resources to enhance operational effectiveness in high-stakes scenarios. The Special Task Force (STF) functions as an elite tactical unit focused on counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, and the neutralization of armed threats, formed in the early amid escalating insurgent violence in the north and east. It conducts high-risk apprehensions, raids against syndicates, and operations to curb , maintaining a structure with rigorous probationary training for sub-inspectors and constables. As of April 2025, the STF graduated 118 probationary sub-inspectors and 231 constables from its 82nd training course, underscoring its ongoing expansion for roles. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) serves as the central body for investigating serious offenses nationwide, encompassing homicides, kidnappings, financial frauds, and inter-agency coordinated probes into complex criminal networks. Overseen by a senior deputy , it integrates forensic analysis and collaborates with units like for extraditions and international cases, such as efforts in October 2025 to repatriate underworld figures arrested abroad. The Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) targets drug-related crimes through intelligence-driven raids, arrests, and disruption of trafficking networks, operating under dedicated leadership to enforce narcotics laws amid rising abuse concerns. In October 2025, a deputy inspector general was appointed to helm the bureau, reflecting prioritization of this domain. Financial investigations fall under the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), which probes , corruption-linked , and economic offenses, often in tandem with the CID. Complementing this, the Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division (PCID) was inaugurated on October 20, 2025, at the former Police Headquarters in to specifically seize and investigate illicitly acquired assets, aiming to deter wealth accumulation from criminal activities under ministerial oversight. The Computer Crime Investigation Division (CCID) addresses digital threats, including online fraud, harassment, cyber extortion, and electronic evidence collection, with sub-units established for regional coverage such as the Northern Province to handle and financial scams. It provides to broader investigations and maintains hotlines for reporting. Public order units include the Field Force Headquarters, established in 1892 and expanded over decades for riot suppression, , and rapid deployment during civil unrest, serving as a reserve for escalated policing needs in and beyond. The Mounted Division, originating in 1921 under British administration and restructured post-independence with local staffing by 1956, employs 36 horses for ceremonial escorts, traffic regulation in congested areas like and , and event security such as parliamentary sessions and the Esala Perahera . Additional divisions encompass the Bureau for the Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women, dedicated to probing exploitation and violence against vulnerable populations; the Traffic Division, enforcing road safety and managing vehicular offenses; and the Marine and Tourist Police Range, patrolling coastal waters and safeguarding visitors. These units collectively bolster the police's adaptability to Sri Lanka's diverse security challenges.

Personnel Composition and Recruitment Requirements

The personnel of the Sri Lanka Police is predominantly composed of other ranks, including constables and non-gazetted officers such as sub-inspectors, who form the bulk of the operational responsible for day-to-day policing duties. Gazetted officers, starting from assistant superintendents of police upward, constitute a smaller cadre focused on and specialized roles. staff, numbering over 4,000 as of 2022, provide administrative and support functions, including from services like the Sri Lanka Administrative Service. Efforts to diversify the ethnically have included targeted from minority communities post-civil , with 2,313 multi-ethnic officers added by 2018, though Sinhalese personnel remain the overwhelming majority, reflecting the country's demographic distribution of approximately 75% Sinhalese. Gender representation within the force is limited, with women accounting for about 12% of total personnel as of 2023, concentrated in lower ranks and facing barriers such as inadequate facilities and cultural norms that limit operational deployment. Ethnic breakdowns among female officers in 2018 showed a similar majority Sinhalese composition, with smaller proportions from Tamil, Moor, and other groups, underscoring ongoing challenges in achieving proportional minority inclusion despite policy initiatives. All personnel, regardless of rank, undergo mandatory lasting six months, emphasizing physical conditioning, legal knowledge, and operational skills. Recruitment to the is managed through open competitive processes advertised via government gazettes, targeting Sri Lankan citizens who meet age, educational, physical, and standards. For the rank of Police Constable (male or female), eligibility requires an age between 18 and 25 years as of the application closing date, completion of at least five subjects in the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) with passes in Sinhala/Tamil language and mathematics or equivalent, a minimum of 5 feet 4 inches for men and 5 feet 2 inches for women, and no . Applicants must pass a multi-stage selection: a preliminary , and physical efficiency tests overseen by a board appointed by the Inspector General of , a written examination, and a final ; fitness is verified by government hospitals.E.pdf) For of Police, requirements are analogous but include higher age limits (up to 26 years) and educational thresholds, often requiring advanced passes or vocational qualifications, followed by written competitive examinations covering , intelligence, and language proficiency in Sinhala, Tamil, or English. Specialized posts like Police Constable Driver extend the age limit to 28 years and mandate a valid heavy driving license plus two years' experience. Gazetted officer recruitment, such as for probationary of Police, prioritizes university graduates aged 22 to 26 years, involving entrance exams assessing aptitude, , and interviews, with selections influenced by performance in National Police Commission or equivalent board evaluations. The process emphasizes merit-based selection to counter risks, though practical implementation has faced criticism for regional and linguistic biases favoring Sinhala-medium candidates.

Operational Resources

Uniforms and Insignia

The Sri Lanka Police utilize -colored uniforms as the standard attire, a practice originating from the force's founding in during British colonial administration. The primary No. 1 uniform comprises a in long or short sleeves, matched with for male officers or skirts for female officers, complemented by a and medal ribbon bars on the chest. Gazetted officers typically don a featuring black epaulettes, a white , , or skirt, and black shoes. Rank are affixed to the shoulders via embroidered or metallic badges, denoting through symbols such as stars, bars, pips, and crossed implements like batons or , often set against red or black backings. The shoulder flash, common to all personnel, displays a Dhammachakra encircled by the force's name in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, symbolizing national and Buddhist heritage. The rank structure, from highest to lowest, includes the of Police, whose features crossed and baton surmounted by a star; Senior Deputy Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General with variations of three and two stars respectively above crossed batons; Senior Superintendent and Superintendent with bars and stars; with pips; and lower ranks like , , using chevrons and bars; down to Sergeants with stripes and Constables without . These designs adapt British police traditions to local context, worn on both daily and ceremonial uniforms.

Weapons and Armaments

The Sri Lanka Police maintain stockpiles of small arms including pistols, revolvers, and T56 assault rifles, with issuances tracked by the to personnel for operational duties. These weapons support routine patrols and responses to threats, reflecting adaptations from the era when police forces required enhanced firepower against insurgent activities. Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifles remain in limited use among reserve police units, valued for their reliability in rural or ceremonial roles. Specialized units, particularly the Special Task Force (STF), employ more advanced armaments suited to counter-terrorism and high-risk operations. In March 2019, the government approved procurement of 500 M16 assault rifles, 250 MP5 submachine guns, and 250 pistols specifically for the STF to bolster capabilities against and residual threats. Such equipment underscores the paramilitary nature of elite police formations, which operate alongside military assets in volatile areas. Non-lethal options, including and water cannons, supplement firearms for , though their deployment has drawn scrutiny in scenarios. Stockpile management practices have been modernized with international assistance, such as UNRCPD-supported facilities for secure storage of firearms and , aiming to mitigate risks from illicit proliferation prevalent in post-conflict . Overall, armament levels prioritize functionality over standardization, influenced by historical insurgencies and ongoing concerns over diversion.

Vehicles and Logistics

The Sri Lanka Police operates a fleet of over 12,000 vehicles and motorcycles as of December 31, 2023, supporting patrol, transport, and specialized operations across the country. This includes jeeps for off-road mobility, cars and radio cars for urban patrolling, cabs and vans for personnel and logistics transport, and motorcycles for traffic enforcement. Ambulances, trucks, buses, and three-wheelers facilitate emergency response, cargo handling, and local duties, while auxiliary vehicles such as water bowser trucks and boats address niche requirements.
Vehicle TypeQuantity (as of Dec. 31, 2023)
Jeeps1,986
Cars818
Radio Cars118
Single Cabs693
Double Cabs208
Vans125
Ambulances56
Trucks159
Buses188
Motorcycles4,760
Three-Wheelers2,376
Total12,322
Procurement occurs through competitive bidding managed by the Department Procurement Committee, with recent acquisitions emphasizing durable, off-road capable models. In 2022, supplied 125 Mahindra SUVs to bolster the fleet, followed by approval for 750 additional Mahindra jeeps. Earlier donations included 11 4x4 vehicles, 10 Yamaha XT 250cc trail bikes, and 10 Yamaha FJR 1300cc patrol motorcycles from in 2016. In 2023, only two vehicles were purchased domestically: one van and one van, totaling Rs. 1.7 million. A 2025 Indian grant of Rs. 300 million funds at least 80 single cabs with spares for northern police stations, enhancing regional coverage. Logistics are coordinated by the Police Logistics Department, which handles acquisition, distribution, maintenance, and disposal of vehicles alongside other non-ICT equipment and infrastructure. The Transport Division oversees daily operations, including logbook maintenance, fuel accounting per government circulars, and timely disposal of condemned assets. Maintenance involves central and sub-garages, with 23,302 repairs completed in 2023, comprising minor and major overhauls to sustain operational readiness. A dedicated Deputy Inspector General heads the Logistics Range, ensuring compliance with public and vehicle management protocols.

International and Peacekeeping Activities

United Nations Deployments

The Sri Lanka Police participates in operations by seconding individual police officers (UNPOL) to serve in advisory, mentoring, and operational roles within host countries' institutions. These deployments emphasize capacity-building, , and protection of civilians, drawing on the force's experience in counter-insurgency and internal security. Contributions include officers from specialized units such as the Special Task Force (STF), with over 300 STF personnel trained specifically for UN tasks as of 2020. Sri Lanka has pledged the deployment of Formed Police Units (FPUs), consisting of approximately 140 officers per unit, equipped for , VIP protection, and high-risk operations, including SWAT-capable teams. These units aim to provide rapid-response capabilities in volatile environments, with commitments reaffirmed at the 2025 UN Ministerial in . Police deployments form part of Sri Lanka's broader history, which totals over 23,000 personnel from the armed forces and police since the , though police-specific numbers remain modest compared to military contingents—typically comprising a fraction of the 500–600 active Sri Lankan peacekeepers in recent years. Individual officers have served in missions including the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), focusing on rule-of-law support amid post-conflict reconstruction. Efforts include increasing female police participation to promote gender-responsive policing, with pledges for more women officers in future rotations. Training programs emphasize UN standards on human rights, conduct, and accountability prior to deployment, amid ongoing discussions of vetting mechanisms to ensure compliance.

Regional and Bilateral Cooperation

The Sri Lanka Police engages in regional cooperation primarily through South Asian frameworks to address transnational threats such as human trafficking and terrorism. In July 2025, Sri Lankan police representatives participated in a UNODC-facilitated regional workshop in Dhaka, Bangladesh, alongside counterparts from India, Maldives, Nepal, and other South Asian nations, focusing on enhancing anti-trafficking law enforcement coordination, intelligence sharing, and victim identification protocols. This initiative builds on SAARC-level discussions, including a 2010 proposal for a regional police mechanism modeled on Interpol to combat cross-border crimes, though implementation has remained limited to ad hoc collaborations rather than a unified force. Such efforts prioritize empirical threat assessments, with data indicating Sri Lanka's role as a transit point for migrant smuggling routes linking South Asia to Europe and the Middle East. Bilateral partnerships emphasize capacity-building and joint operations, particularly with and . In July 2025, Sri Lankan police officials completed a study visit to India's and , securing agreements for specialized training in disaster management and counter-, reflecting India's strategic interest in regional stability amid shared maritime challenges. Similarly, a June 2025 with targets , , drug trafficking, and human smuggling through enhanced joint training, operational exchanges, and real-time mechanisms, with initial focus on border interdictions yielding documented seizures of precursor chemicals transiting . Trilateral maritime security arrangements with and , formalized in 2021 and expanded thereafter, involve police-coast guard interoperability for patrolling exclusive economic zones, countering illegal fishing, and disrupting narcotics flows, supported by shared radar data and exercises that have intercepted over 50 vessels since inception. Multilateral engagements via bolster these efforts, including participation in Project Scorpius (2017-2019), which trained South Asian police in foreign terrorist fighter detection and border controls, leading to arrests of 12 suspects in by 2020 through improved biometric data sharing. These cooperations are grounded in verifiable outcomes, such as reduced trafficking inflows per UNODC metrics, though challenges persist due to varying enforcement capacities among partners and occasional geopolitical tensions influencing data reciprocity. Historical bilateral ties, including Swedish-funded capacity enhancements from 2005 onward, have emphasized forensic and reforms, contributing to a 15% rise in conviction rates for by 2015.

Performance and Effectiveness

Achievements in Counter-Insurgency and Crime Reduction

The , through its Special Task Force (STF), played a pivotal role in counter-insurgency operations against the (LTTE) during the latter stages of the civil conflict. Established in 1983, the STF conducted intensive patrols and targeted disruptions of LTTE supply lines, contributing to the neutralization of insurgent networks in the Eastern Province. In a series of operations, STF units located and destroyed multiple LTTE camps, establishing dominance over key terrains and facilitating the capture of the last LTTE stronghold in Thoppigala on July 11, 2007, which marked the liberation of the entire Eastern Province. A landmark achievement was Operation Niyathai Jaya (Definite Victory), where STF commandos overran approximately 20 LTTE camps, including the heavily fortified Stanley Base, the group's primary operational hub in the region. This offensive disrupted LTTE and command structures, enabling broader force advances that culminated in the insurgents' defeat in May 2009. Over its 40-year history, the STF sustained 464 fatalities and 774 injuries in these engagements, underscoring the intensity of operations that eroded LTTE capabilities through persistent, intelligence-driven actions. Post-conflict, the Sri Lanka Police's efforts shifted toward crime reduction, leveraging stabilized security to address organized crime and extremism. The STF continued to target high-risk threats, including in operations against armed groups, which supported an overall reported decline in crime rates. According to statements from the Law and Order Minister in January 2018, crimes had decreased by 35 percent over the preceding three years, attributed to enhanced policing and community engagement initiatives that built on counter-insurgency gains. These metrics reflect improved operational effectiveness in maintaining public order amid the transition from wartime insurgency to peacetime law enforcement.

Empirical Metrics and Data on Operational Success

The Sri Lanka Police maintain detection rates for grave crimes ranging from 70% to 79% in recent years, with 31,515 out of 44,969 grave crimes solved in 2023, reflecting a 70% rate amid a 27% increase in reported grave crimes from 2021 levels. In 2018, the overall solution rate for 36,355 reported grave crimes stood at 78%, including 90% for homicides and 96% for rapes. These figures indicate sustained investigative effectiveness in prioritizing serious offenses, though detection dipped to 70% by 2023 as reporting volumes rose. Arrest operations demonstrate escalation in targeted enforcement, particularly against narcotics, with 189,896 drug-related arrests in 2023, a 24% rise from 2022, alongside seizures supporting case filings. Special Task Force raids numbered 6,140 in 2023, yielding 6,904 arrests, while fingerprint-based identifications linked 35,332 criminals to offenses. Minor crimes reported declined 47% to 39,644 in 2023 from 2021, with a 57% detection rate, signaling improved prevention or underreporting in lower-severity categories. Specific crime reductions underscore operational impacts: fatal road accidents fell 9% to 2,200 in 2023 from 2021, and victimless crimes dropped 7% from 2022. Targeted shootings decreased from 120 in 2023 to 103 in 2024, per police reports. Earlier trends show grave crimes against children down 9% in 2019 and petty property offenses reduced 6% that year. rates remained low at approximately 2.27 per 100,000 population in recent assessments.
Metric20182023Source
Grave Crimes Reported36,35544,969
Detection Rate (Grave Crimes)78%70%
Drug-Related ArrestsN/A189,896
Solve Rate90%N/A

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Human Rights Violations

The Sri Lanka Police have faced numerous allegations of against criminal suspects and detainees, including beatings, electric shocks, and suspension from ceilings, as documented in investigations spanning decades. A 2015 Human Rights Watch report detailed over 30 cases of such abuses, often occurring in police stations shortly after to extract confessions, with victims including petty criminals and those accused of minor offenses. The Sri Lankan has ruled in multiple instances that custodial constitutes a violation, as in the 2006 case of Waragodamudalige Gerald Perera, where officers from Wattala Police Station were convicted for leading to severe injury. recorded 2,845 complaints and 675 degrading treatment cases against police in recent years, highlighting persistent patterns despite legal prohibitions under the Convention Against , which Sri Lanka ratified in 1994. Custodial deaths and extrajudicial killings attributed to police actions have been reported annually, with the U.S. State Department's 2023 and 2024 reports citing multiple fatalities in custody, often officially deemed suicides or natural causes but contested by forensic evidence and witness accounts. In 2020, the determined that the death of suspect A.H. M. Nuhman in police custody violated the , ordering compensation and criticizing investigative lapses, underscoring systemic failures in oversight. panels, including the Committee Against Torture in 2016, have described as a "common practice" within Sri Lankan police stations, with inadequate prosecutions despite thousands of complaints filed with the National Police Commission. These findings are corroborated by medical examinations revealing patterns of inconsistent with official narratives. During the 2022 economic crisis protests, police employed excessive force, including live ammunition, , and water cannons against peaceful demonstrators, resulting in at least 10 deaths and hundreds injured, according to Amnesty International's analysis of video evidence and eyewitness testimonies. documented instances of police firing on crowds in April 2022, violating international standards on proportionate , with no independent probes leading to convictions. Under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, police have been accused of arbitrary detentions facilitating , as in cases of prolonged incommunicado holds without charge, exacerbating risks of abuse. Allegations of police complicity in enforced disappearances persist, particularly targeting Tamil communities in the north and east, with recent harassment of victims' families reported by in 2025, including surveillance and PTA arrests to silence advocacy. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted in 2021 an "alarming path" toward recurring violations, linking police impunity from the era—where thousands vanished—to ongoing practices, though government denials emphasize isolated incidents rather than institutional patterns. Independent verifications, such as those from the Office of Missing Persons, have confirmed police involvement in over 100 historical cases, yet accountability remains low, with conviction rates below 1% for reported abuses.

Issues of Corruption and Political Interference

The Sri Lanka Police has faced persistent allegations of corruption, including bribery, extortion, and misuse of authority, with public perception surveys identifying it as one of the most corrupt institutions in the country. In 2025, over 300 officers were placed under scrutiny for integrity violations, encompassing bribery and other misconduct, amid a wave of reported sexual abuse and bribery cases that prompted internal investigations. Specific convictions include three officers sentenced for accepting bribes in separate incidents handled by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), and a sub-inspector and constable convicted for soliciting Rs. 10,000 from a hotel owner. Between January and June 2025, authorities arrested 31 suspects, primarily police personnel, on bribery or corruption charges, reflecting ongoing enforcement efforts but also the scale of the problem. Nepotism and favoritism exacerbate these issues, with reports indicating that promotions and postings often favor personal or familial connections over merit, undermining operational integrity. is reportedly common at traffic checkpoints and during investigations, where officers demand payments to overlook violations or expedite processes, contributing to low public trust. Despite CIABOC's role in prosecuting cases, such as 75 filings in the first year of the Act's enactment, systemic challenges persist, with critics attributing persistence to inadequate internal oversight and cultural acceptance of small-scale graft. Political interference manifests prominently in senior appointments and operational directives, eroding the force's independence. The 2023 appointment of Deshbandu Tennakoon as (IGP) drew condemnation from groups for bypassing seniority and overlooking prior allegations of misconduct, including involvement in controversial operations like the 2023 hotel raid. In a historic move in 2025, removed a sitting IGP through select committee proceedings, highlighting executive overreach in leadership selections. Successive governments have influenced postings to align with interests, fostering subservience where officers prioritize political loyalty over , as evidenced by delayed investigations into politically connected figures. Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath pledged in 2023 to end such interference, yet analysts note that constitutional ambiguities and executive dominance continue to enable it, compromising in high-profile cases.

Accountability Mechanisms and Reform Initiatives

The National Police Commission (NPC), established under Chapter XIXA of the Sri Lankan Constitution in 2002, serves as the primary independent oversight body for the , with authority over appointments, promotions, transfers, and disciplinary matters to promote depoliticization and operational independence. The NPC investigates public complaints against police officers and can recommend disciplinary actions, including dismissals, though its effectiveness has been limited by resource constraints and occasional executive interference, such as proposed 2025 amendments to transfer key powers back to the Inspector General of Police. Complementing the NPC, the of (HRCSL), operational since 1997, receives and probes complaints of police misconduct, including arbitrary arrests and detentions; in 2023, it documented numerous such cases but noted persistent incommunicado holdings and limited access for lawyers. Internal police mechanisms include the Police Disciplinary Committee and station-level inquiries, but these are subordinate to NPC oversight and often criticized for lacking transparency, with data from indicating low rates for despite thousands of annual complaints. Judicial accountability operates through criminal courts, where officers face prosecution for abuses under the Penal Code or Convention Against Torture Act of 1994, yet enforcement remains sporadic; for instance, rulings on police violations, such as in custodial death cases, have gone unimplemented by the NPC in several documented instances as of 2024. Reform initiatives gained momentum post-2009 civil war, with the 2016 Police Reform Committee—formed by the Ministry of Law and Order—recommending decentralization, enhanced training, and ethnic integration in policing to address militarization legacies, though implementation stalled amid political transitions. Community policing programs, supported by international partners like the Asia Foundation, introduced training manuals in 2011 for basic community engagement, crime prevention, and officer-citizen relations, rolled out across police institutes and yielding pilot successes in urban areas by 2020 through localized patrols and public feedback mechanisms. More recent efforts include the HRCSL's September 2025 call for institutional reforms, such as bolstering NPC independence and digitizing complaint tracking, amid ongoing critiques of hesitant progress under successive governments. Anti-corruption drives, like the 2024 JURE Justice Reform Program, have trained officials on bribery prevention aligned with the National Action Plan, targeting police vulnerabilities exposed in prior audits. Despite these, empirical assessments highlight persistent gaps, with no comprehensive post-war demilitarization achieved, as police structures retain paramilitary elements from the conflict era.

Notable Personnel and Incidents

Officers Killed or Assassinated in Duty

One of the most egregious incidents occurred on June 11, 1990, in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province, where the (LTTE) massacred approximately 774 unarmed police officers who had surrendered following assurances of safe release. The officers, primarily stationed in and Amparai districts, were disarmed, lined up, and executed en masse after responding to LTTE demands amid escalating tensions. This event, often described as a deliberate , highlighted the vulnerability of police forces to insurgent tactics during the conflict, with survivors numbering fewer than 200 who escaped execution or refused to surrender. Throughout the 1983–2009 , Sri Lanka Police suffered substantial losses from LTTE ambushes, bombings, and targeted killings, though aggregate figures remain imprecise due to fragmented reporting; police units were frequently deployed in frontline areas without adequate military support. During the (JVP) insurrection of 1987–1989, officers faced assassinations and rural ambushes by Marxist insurgents, exacerbating casualties in a period marked by widespread unrest and extrajudicial responses. Post-independence records indicate ongoing risks, including the 1996 Battle of , where police contingents were among those overrun by LTTE forces, resulting in heavy fatalities. In the post-war era, fatalities have declined sharply, reflecting reduced insurgent activity; parliamentary disclosures noted 15 officers killed in the from 2015 to 2020, often in routine operations such as raids or traffic enforcement. Isolated assassinations persist, such as those linked to or residual separatist elements, but lack the scale of conflict-era losses; annual Police Heroes' Day commemorations honor all fallen personnel since the force's 1866 establishment, underscoring institutional recognition of these sacrifices.

Significant Operational Cases

The Special Task Force (STF), an elite paramilitary unit within the established in 1983, has conducted numerous high-impact counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, particularly during the civil war against the (LTTE). Stationed primarily in the Eastern Province, the STF executed a series of offensives from 2006 onward that disrupted LTTE supply lines, neutralized militant strongholds, and facilitated the eventual clearance of LTTE presence in the region by 2007. These efforts involved coordinated raids, ambushes, and assaults that inflicted significant casualties on LTTE cadres and commanders, contributing to the group's loss of territorial control in and districts. One notable operation was the STF-led push in early , including artillery-supported advances that targeted LTTE positions in strategic eastern areas, resulting in the destruction of remaining resistance pockets and the securing of key supply routes previously dominated by the insurgents. This operational tempo aligned with broader military advances, enabling the STF to establish permanent bases and conduct sustained patrols that prevented LTTE resurgence in cleared zones. The unit's focus on intelligence-driven raids and rapid response tactics was instrumental in shifting momentum against the LTTE in the east, where police-led forces operated alongside military units to dismantle guerrilla networks. During the 1987–1989 (JVP) insurrection, Sri Lanka Police units, including early STF elements, played a frontline role in intelligence gathering and suppression efforts against the Marxist insurgents, who conducted widespread assassinations and attacks on police stations. Police operations focused on rural ambushes and arrests, contributing to the eventual dismantling of JVP leadership structures by 1990 through combined security force actions like Operation Combine. In more recent years, the STF has shifted toward anti-crime and counter-terrorism, participating in Operation Flycatcher in 2021–2022, an Interpol-coordinated initiative that enhanced border detection capabilities and disrupted residual terrorist travel networks linked to post-LTTE extremists. Contemporary operational successes include international cooperation raids, such as the August 2025 arrest in of five notorious Sri Lankan gang leaders—Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salindu, Backo Saman, Nilanga, and Thembili Lahiru—fugitives wanted for , , and murders, facilitated by Sri Lanka Police intelligence shared via red notices. Domestically, STF involvement in island-wide anti-crime sweeps, such as the July 2025 operation netting 1,427 suspects, has targeted drug trafficking and violent gangs, with police seizing assets valued at Rs. 730 million linked to narcotics by October 2025. These cases demonstrate the STF's adaptation to hybrid threats combining insurgency remnants with .

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