Author name: Tharindu Withanage

The ceremonial opening of the newly constructed administrative building of the Kopay Police Station in the Jaffna Division was held on 14.06.2026 under the patronage of the Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijepala, with the participation of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. Established on 06 January 1966, the Kopay Police Station has now been equipped with a modern administrative complex constructed at a cost of approximately Rs. 47 million. The police division comprises 27 Grama Niladhari Divisions and serves a population of nearly 64,500 residents within an area of 51 square kilometres. The division is also home to the University of Jaffna and the Jaffna Teachers’ College. The event was attended by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, Mr. Nagalingam Vethanayahan; Members of Parliament representing the Jaffna District, including Mr. Marudalingam Pradeepan; the Jaffna District Secretary; the Commander of Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna, Major General Mr. Priyantha Navaratne; the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Northern Province, Mr. Buddhika Siriwardena; and several other distinguished invitees and officials. The new facility is expected to further enhance the administrative efficiency of the police station and improve the quality of services provided to the public in the area.

The Forensic Photography and Videography Course (Batch No. 28), organized by the Crime Records Division, was successfully concluded on 12.06.2026. The certificate awarding ceremony was held at Police Headquarters under the patronage of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya. The event was attended by Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (Crime and Traffic), Ranmal Kodituwakku; Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Crime Directorate, Jayasiri Kodituwakku; Director of the Crime Records Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ruwan Kumara; along with other senior officers. The 45-day training programme was conducted from 22.04.2026 to 12.06.2026. The course covered the following key areas: * Forensic photography and videography* Fundamentals of forensic science and forensic medicine* Operation of modern digital camera systems and related technologies* Legal knowledge required for court proceedings and evidentiary purposes* Practical field workshops (Horton Plains, wildlife environments, and forensic settings)* Updated understanding of international trends and best practices* Crime scene documentation, protest coverage, investigative photography, and surveillance videography Upon completion of the course, the participating officers will be deployed to police divisions across the island, where their services will support investigative and operational requirements within the Sri Lanka Police.

The book “Crime Prevention and Victim Counseling”, authored by Senior DIG Dr. Dinesh Karunanayake, in charge of Special Security and Elections, was officially presented to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, at Police Headquarters on 10.06.2026. Senior DIG Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, along with several senior police officers, attended the presentation ceremony. Senior DIG Dr. Dinesh Karunanayake is a distinguished author and lyricist within the Sri Lanka Police. He previously published the book “Drug Addiction and Rehabilitation” in 2012 and “Job Satisfaction and Effectiveness of Police Officers” in 2023. In addition to his literary contributions, Dr. Karunanayake has penned lyrics for several notable songs, including “Minisa Nubai” composed for the Sri Lanka Police, and “Sri Dalada,” which was created for the exhibition of the Sacred Tooth Relic. His latest publication reflects his continued commitment to addressing contemporary social issues and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of crime prevention and victim support.

It is essential for every police officer to be a well-informed and up-to-date citizen in order to perform duties effectively in a rapidly evolving social environment shaped by modern technology and globalization. To achieve this objective, the Attidiya National Police Training Institute is already functioning efficiently by providing a range of training programmes aimed at enhancing the knowledge and professional competencies of serving officers. On 05.06.2026, the Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijepala, along with the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, and the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, together with a senior delegation of police officers, conducted an inspection visit to the Attidiya National Police Training Institute to assess potential areas for further development. During the visit, the Hon. Minister instructed the Sri Lanka Police to evaluate the feasibility of upgrading the institution into a university-level training establishment. He also emphasized the need to expand opportunities for information technology-related training, accelerate ongoing construction activities, and take necessary measures to expedite development work. Furthermore, he assured that prompt action would be taken to facilitate the allocation of required funding for these initiatives.