Author name: Tharindu Withanage

The motherland was further strengthened with the addition of three hundred and fourteen newly trained apprentice officers, reaffirming the Sri Lanka Police’s commitment to safeguarding law and order and ensuring a peaceful environment for the public to carry out their daily lives. In line with this objective, a dynamic group of young men and women who joined the Sri Lanka Police to enhance its human resources were ceremonially inducted as proud public officers on the evening of 04 January 2026 at the Pahalagama Police College. The dignified graduation ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijeyapala, with the participation of the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, and the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. At the ceremony, 314 apprentice officers who had reported to the Nikaweratiya and Pahalagama Police Colleges on 08 June 2025 successfully graduated, comprising 240 Police Constables and 74 Apprentice Police Drivers. These officers had completed an intensive seven-month basic training programme at Sri Lanka Police College, during which they acquired essential competencies in law, discipline, physical training, and practical policing skills required for effective police service. Several outstanding trainees were recognised for their exceptional performance: Best Shooter – Apprentice Police Constable 107695 Imesh Pasidhu Vidana Pathirana Best Driver – Apprentice Police Constable Driver 107837 Ananda Dissanayakege Dilshan Best Apprentice Officer in Law – Apprentice Police Constable 107616 Jayarange Thenuka Deminda Senanayake Best Apprentice Police Constable Driver (Overall Performance) – Apprentice Police Constable Driver 107812 Uve Hangili Gedera Chathurana Dhananjaya Herath Best Apprentice Police Constable (Overall Performance) – Apprentice Police Constable 107599 Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Shamika Dilshan Dissanayake The ceremonial parade of ten Police Constables was led by the Chief Commanding Officer, Superintendent of Police Minura Senarath of the Colombo Central Division, who rode a horse named Beachvale, imported from the Netherlands. The Second-in-Command was Chief Inspector of Police P.D. Milan Oshantha, Commanding Officer of the Elpitiya Police College. The procession to the parade ground was led by Police Sergeant 33340 Priyantha of the Pahalagama Police College. Following the formal farewell parade, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Recruitment and Training Directorate, Mr. Anura Pushpakumara, delivered the welcome address. He warmly welcomed the Chief Guests, including Senior DIG Administration Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, Senior DIG Special Bureau, Training and Advanced Training, Attorney-at-Law Sampath Kumara Liyanage, and senior police officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police Chinthaka Gunaratne, who retired from the post of Director of the Police Academy Division on the same day. Senior government officials representing major public and private institutions, along with parents and well-wishers of the graduating officers, were also present at the event. Addressing the gathering, both the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs and the Inspector General of Police congratulated the newly commissioned officers and emphasized the importance of professionalism, discipline, integrity, and dedication in building a successful career in police service. The ceremony concluded with vibrant performances by the Sri Lanka Police Western Band, the Police Cultural Division, and the Police College Motorcycle Display Team, adding colour and excitement to the occasion. Meanwhile, nearly 28,000 viewers joined the official Sri Lanka Police Facebook page to watch the entire event live.

Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Chinthaka Gunaratne respectfully concluded his illustrious career in the Sri Lanka Police upon reaching the age of 60, retiring from service while serving as the Director of the Police Cadet Division. In appreciation of his exemplary leadership and dedicated service, officers of the Kalutara Police College organised a felicitation ceremony on 03 January 2026, during which he was honoured with the traditional salute of the Sri Lanka Police. The event was attended by numerous senior government officials and distinguished invitees. Born on 05 January 1966, Mr. Chinthaka Gunaratne is the eldest of five children. He hails from a family with a proud policing legacy, as his mother served in the Sri Lanka Police, joining as a Woman Police Constable and retiring with the rank of Police Inspector. A distinguished alumnus of Ananda College, Colombo, he excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities, notably winning the prestigious IGP Challenge Cup as a school cadet. An accomplished athlete, Mr. Gunaratne also holds an outstanding record in the 400-metre race. He successfully passed the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination in Biology with distinction and subsequently entered the University of Colombo. Recognising that his leadership qualities and discipline were best suited to a career in law enforcement, he joined the Sri Lanka Police on 15 March 1988 as a Sub-Inspector, committing himself to serving the nation. Throughout his professional journey, he demonstrated exceptional competence and dedication, steadily rising through the ranks to become a Senior Superintendent of Police. He also represented Sri Lanka with distinction in United Nations peacekeeping missions in East Timor, Mozambique, and South Sudan. Notably, he remains the only officer in the history of the Sri Lanka Police to have been awarded four medals for international peacekeeping service. Senior Superintendent of Police Chinthaka Gunaratne has held several key appointments, including Assistant Director of Training at the Kalutara Police College, President of the Sri Lanka Police Inspectors’ Association, Personal Security Officer to the President, and Advisor to four United Nations missions. Appointed as Director of the Police Cadet Division on 16 June 2022, he made significant contributions to the advancement of both the Police College system and the Police Cadet movement. The Sri Lanka Police warmly extend their best wishes to Senior Superintendent of Police Chinthaka Gunaratne for a peaceful and fulfilling retirement, together with his beloved wife, daughter, and sons.

The last rites of Police Constable 82615 Mr. M. Sarath Kumara, who died in an accident while on duty checking vehicles at the roadblock near the Walawe Ganga Bridge in Ambalantota, were performed on 03.01.2026. The officer who died on duty was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant on the basis of post-promotion. IGP Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya visited the residence in Weeriyagama, Sooriyawewa where the body was laid to rest and paid his last respects. Many police officers who had not served with the officer, including senior police officers in the area, attended the last rites that day.

225 energetic young men of this country, who were fortunate enough to join the best paramilitary force in South Asia as a Police Constable, reported to the Elpitiya Police College on 31.12.2025 for basic training. These individuals, who have successfully demonstrated the physical strength, mental strength, discipline, as well as the appropriate educational level and family background required to wear the proud uniform of the Police Special Task Force during the initial selection tests, will receive special training at the Police Academy to become highly skilled and armed officers dedicated to protecting the country.

A stock of illicit drugs, weighing approximately 170 kg , seized on 7 September 2021, was transported to the Wanathawilluwa incinerator this morning (2 January 2026) for destruction, in accordance with court orders. The consignment was detected following intelligence gathered by the Batticaloa Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau, with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy, and was subsequently handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for further investigations. Subsequent inquiries revealed that the net quantity of the seized narcotics consisted of 106 kilograms and 248 g of heroin and 90.5 g of opium. The Police Narcotics Bureau took custody of the drug haul from the Colombo Magistrate’s Court at approximately 6.00 a.m. today. The consignment was then transported to Wanathawilluwa under tight security, including the deployment of officers from the Police Special Task Force (STF). The destruction process was supervised by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Narcotics Bureau, Mr. Ashoka Dharmasena, along with officials from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, the Government Analyst’s Department, and court officials, who were present to oversee the receipt and handling of the narcotics.