Author name: Tharindu Withanage

The 78th National Independence Day Parade of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was ceremonially held on 04 February 2026 at Independence Square, Colombo, under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency the President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Having ensured security at every Independence Day celebration since the first commemoration in 1949, the Sri Lanka Police once again played a pivotal role this year. Under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, the Sri Lanka Police proudly participated in the national parade, upholding its longstanding tradition of service and dedication. The celebrations commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by His Excellency the President, who arrived in ceremonial procession at the forefront of police motorcycles, symbolizing authority and national pride. Following the Presidential Address, the Awards Parade of the 78th Independence Day celebrations began, featuring the Tri-Forces, the Sri Lanka Police, the Civil Defence Force, and the National Cadet Corps. The Sri Lanka Police Awards Parade was led by Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Nishantha Chandrasekara, mounted on the horse Henk. He was flanked by mounted escorts bearing swords—Superintendent of Police Mr. Lasith Abeywickrama, Superintendent of Police Mr. Isuru Nishantha, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Ruchira Karunanayake. Next, the Sri Lanka Police— the foremost state institution established on 03 September 1866 to maintain law and order—marched proudly behind the Police Flag. Bearing the historic motto “Dhammo Have Rakkathi Dhammachari” and the emblem of the elephant symbolizing strength, the formation was led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Chamara Herath. Two Sub-Inspectors of Police marched on either side, carrying ceremonial swords. Thereafter, the oldest security force band in Sri Lanka, established in 1873—and the same band that proudly performed the National Anthem at the first Independence Day celebration—took center stage. Under the direction of Drum Major Police Constable Mr. Piumal Thilakaratne, the band led the Sri Lanka Police Battalion commanded by Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Sameera Rajapaksa. The Chief Drill Instructor, Sergeant Major Mr. Piyasiri Wijesundera, followed closely behind. Subsequently, the Women Police Battalion, established on 01 January 1952, marched with distinction under the command ofy Women Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mrs. Inoka Liyanage. The Police Special Task Force (STF), established in 1983 and widely recognized as one of the finest paramilitary forces in South Asia, also participated in the parade, proudly paying tribute to His Excellency the President. The Police Special Task Force Flag, bearing the motto “Niyathai Jaya”, was carried by Chief Inspector of Police Mr. Chandana Piyasena. The Police Special Task Force Band, led by Drum Major Police Constable Mr. Suneth Perera, guided the Police Special Task Force Battalion commanded by Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Gayan Sanjeewa. Demonstrating exceptional discipline and precision, the battalion was followed by the Chief Drill Instructor of the STF, Police Sergeant Mr. Chaminda Herath. One of the most vibrant and visually striking segments of the Police Awards Parade was the appearance of the Police Horsemen, led by Superintendent of Police Mr. Minura Senarath. The Police Mounted Division, which originated in 1921 with eight British police officers, holds the distinction of being the second instance globally where mounted units were employed for police duties. Training for the Sri Lanka Police Independence Day Parade was conducted under the supervision of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police – Training and Advanced Training, Mr. Sampath Liyanage. The official explanatory commentary and announcements for the Police Awards Parade were delivered by Sub-Inspector of Police Mr. Nimal Abeysinghe of the Police Media Division.

In accordance with a proposal made by the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, an Environmental Police Week has been declared in conjunction with the 78th National Independence Day, which falls on 04 February 2026. Accordingly, an island-wide tree-planting programme is being implemented under the guidance of the Community Policing and Environmental Protection Directorate. Under this initiative, approximately 25,000 valuable plant saplings, including cardamom, mee, jackfruit, and various fruit plants, are to be distributed to police stations throughout the island. The official inauguration ceremony of the sapling distribution programme was held on the morning of 02 February 2026 at the Police Field Force Headquarters. On this occasion, around 2,500 saplings were symbolically distributed to 126 police stations in the Western Province under the patronage of the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijeyapala, with the participation of the Inspector General of Police. Under the supervision of the Forest Conservation Department, the saplings will be transported to all police stations across the island over the coming days, together with the necessary guidelines for proper planting and maintenance. The Community Policing and Environmental Protection Directorate will also conduct post-planting monitoring and follow-up to ensure the success of the initiative. With the commitment of the Environmental Police Officers and the entire police force, this programme is expected to significantly enhance green coverage across the country. The initiative aims to achieve its primary objective of contributing positively to environmental conservation while preserving the nation’s natural beauty. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) Mr. G.M.R.D. Aponsu, Additional Secretary to the President Engineer Mr. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara representing the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Retired Senior DIG Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, DIG in charge of the Community Policing and Environmental Protection Directorate Mr. R.A.R.N. Rajapaksa, Director of the Community Policing Division Mr. SSP D.K. Priyantha, Director of the Environmental Protection Division SSP Mr. D.K. Manoj Perera, along with numerous other senior police officers and government officials.

The annual Police Flower Parade, organized by the Sri Lanka Police in conjunction with the Navam Maha Perahera of the Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo, was held on 31.01.2026 and 01.02.2026. As part of this event, a ceremonial procession paraded through the streets from the Gangaramaya Temple to the Seema Malakaya on the evening of 30.01.2026. The parade was organized by the Police Buddhist and Religious Affairs Association under the close guidance and supervision of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Priyantha Weerasuriya. Over 200 police officers took part in the procession, carrying Sesath, Muthukudda and Buddhist Flags, while participating as Hevisi drummers and traditional dance troupes, adding cultural splendor to the event. Officers representing the Police Cultural Division, the Police Special Task Force, and the Police Headquarters actively participated in the procession. The event was conducted in a dignified and magnificent manner with the assistance and security provided by the surrounding police stations.

A cash award presentation ceremony was held on the morning of 30 January 2026 at the main auditorium of the Police Crime Records Division in Colombo, under the patronage of Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, to honor the exceptional professional competence demonstrated by officers attached to the Fingerprint Bureau, Crime Analysis Unit, and Forensic Photography Unit of the Division. During the ceremony, a sum of Rs. 2,953,000 was symbolically distributed among 20 officers, while the total amount of prize money approved for this phase stands at Rs. 10,483,550, to be awarded to 335 officers in recognition of their meritorious service. It was noteworthy that a Police Inspector received a cash incentive for successfully resolving 45 serious crimes through fingerprint analysis. In addition, Police Constable 104595 Dulara Dilshan of the Crime Records Division was specially commended by the IGP for his courageous conduct in climbing to an upper floor during the fire that erupted in Kiribathgoda town on 21 January 2026, thereby demonstrating exceptional bravery in the line of duty. Furthermore, certificates were awarded to 21 officers who successfully completed the Primary Level in Fingerprinting, as well as to 11 officers who passed the Advanced Level in Fingerprinting. The event was attended by several senior police officials, including Director General of the Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division, Senior DIG Attorney-at-Law Mr. Asanga Karawita; Senior DIG in charge of Crime and Traffic, Mr. Ranmal Kodituwakku; Director of the Crime Records Division, SSP Mr. Ruwan Kumara; DIG of Human Resources Management and International Relations, Mr. Sisara Kumara; and DIG in charge of the Colombo Division, Mr. Nishantha de Zoysa, among others.