Author name: Tharindu Withanage

Welfare initiatives carried out for police officers and their families under the guidance of Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, Chairperson of the Police Seva Vanitha Unit, Attorney-at-Law Nilmini Nita Samaratunga, and the Working Committee Over the past year, the Police Seva Vanitha Unit has implemented a wide range of welfare initiatives aimed at supporting police officers, their families, children and vulnerable communities. 09.05.2025 – School equipment worth Rs. 15 million was provided to 3,000 schoolchildren of police officers. Equipment worth Rs. 10 million was also distributed among 100 pregnant police officers. In addition, two ICU beds were donated to the Police Hospital, while hearing aids valued at Rs. 160,000 were provided to children of police officers with hearing impairments. The program was held at the Police Field Force Headquarters. 15.07.2025 – The Ru Siri Beauty Salon was opened at the Police Field Force Headquarters to provide beauty and personal-care services to police officers at subsidized rates. 12.08.2025 – A monthly scholarship of Rs. 2,000 was awarded to each of 34 schoolchildren of police officers who died due to accidents or illnesses while serving in the Sri Lanka Police. The scholarships will continue until the children complete their GCE Advanced Level education. 01.09.2025 – Medical and sanitary equipment was provided to 14 police officers in the Eastern Province who became disabled or completely incapacitated due to accidents or illnesses sustained while on duty. Assistance was also provided to two children with disabilities and the wife of a police officer. 30.09.2025 – Vouchers were distributed to 500 schoolchildren of police officers serving in the Southern Province to purchase essential textbooks and footwear. 01.11.2025 – Essential items were distributed among 120 pregnant police officers serving in the Western Province. 06.11.2025 – Ready-made clothing valued at Rs. 2 million was distributed among children identified as being at risk in several selected areas across the island. 04.12.2025–29.01.2026 – Under a concept initiated by the Chairperson of the Police Seva Vanitha Unit, drinking-water bottles, two containers of sanitary supplies, food items and clothing received from foreign donors were distributed to communities affected by sudden disasters in various parts of the island. 06.12.2025 – Essential clothing, footwear, drinking water and sanitary supplies were donated to children residing in four children’s homes located within the Chilaw, Koswatta, Marawila and Arachchikattuwa Police Divisions. 19.12.2025 – School supplies valued at Rs. 9.8 million were donated to schoolchildren of police officers affected by Cyclone Ditwah. 24.12.2025 – School supplies worth Rs. 1.1 million were donated to low-income and vulnerable children identified through the “Saroja” Project implemented in the Eastern Province. 05.02.2026 – Essential sanitary products were donated to children receiving residential treatment at Ward No. 15 of the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. 07.02.2026 – Personal hygiene and health-protection supplies were donated to girls receiving care at three child-care and detention centers, including Sarana and Mitra, in the Anuradhapura Division. 10.03.2026 – A “Suwanari” Medical Clinic was conducted for female police officers in the Kurunegala Division in conjunction with International Women’s Day. 17.03.2026 – A new officers’ welfare cafeteria and dining hall was opened at Mihintale Police Station. Dry rations worth Rs. 175,000 were also distributed among 25 low-income families residing within the Mihintale Police Division. 19.03.2026 – Diploma scholarships were awarded, in collaboration with the Gangaramaya Educational Institute, to 30 children of deceased and disabled police officers. 21.04.2026 – A donation of Rs. 500,000 was made to the Tiny Tots Pre-School Trilogy, which is operated for the children of police officers. A new day-care centre was also opened for the Tiny Tots Pre-School operating in the Maradana Police Station area. Ongoing welfare programme – Lunch and essential items are provided once a month to patients receiving residential treatment at Ward No. 04 of the Mulleriyawa Intermediate Camp. Police welfare canteens – Under the supervision of the Police Seva Vanitha Unit, welfare canteens are operated by family members of police officers at the Police Headquarters, Police Field Force Headquarters, Criminal Investigation Department and Police Transport Division, providing services for the welfare of police personnel. CINEC scholarship program – CINEC Private University has awarded scholarships valued at Rs. 3 million to 11 daughters of junior-ranking police officers serving in the Sri Lanka Police to pursue Engineering and Navigation Cadet Training. Through these initiatives, the Police Seva Vanitha Unit continues to strengthen the welfare of police personnel and their families while extending support to vulnerable children, families and communities across the country.

The Police Clearance Division of the Sri Lanka Police, located on the 17th floor of the Suhurupaya Building, Battaramulla, issues police clearance certificates to applicants. The application process, including the submission of applications, obtaining background reports, and issuing clearance certificates, is carried out through a computerized data system. However, this system has been inactive since noon on 20 August 2026. Until the system is restored, applicants may follow the following temporary procedure to submit applications for police clearance reports: Applicants can visit the official Sri Lanka Police website, www.police.lk, and click on “Download Application” to obtain the relevant application form. After completing the form, applicants should email it, together with photocopies of their National Identity Card and passport, to the following email address: Email: clear.application@police.gov.lk Upon receiving applications through this temporary procedure, the Police Clearance Division will take steps to obtain the necessary background reports from the relevant police stations. The corresponding clearance certificates will be issued once the computerized system is restored. No payment is required at this stage. However, all applicants who submit applications through this temporary procedure must make the required payment and resubmit their applications through the online system once the system has been restored. The reference numbers of applicants whose clearance certificates can be issued from applications already submitted will be published on the official Sri Lanka Police website. Applicants whose reference numbers are published may visit the Police Clearance Division on the 17th floor of the Suhurupaya Building, Battaramulla, to obtain their clearance certificates. Clearance certificates may also be collected on Saturdays and Sundays. Applicants whose reference numbers have not been published on the police website will be issued their clearance certificates after the computerized system is restored. Meanwhile, steps are being taken to restore the system as soon as possible. The public will be informed promptly once the system becomes operational again.  

Police clearance certificates issued by the Sri Lanka Police are processed by the Clearance Division, located on the 17th floor of the Suhurupaya Building, Battaramulla. The application processing, obtaining of relevant reports, and printing of police clearance certificates are carried out through a computerized data system.  However, this system has been inactive since 12:50 p.m. on 20 August 2026. The Sri Lanka Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) has been informed of the issue, and necessary measures are currently being taken to restore the system. Accordingly, the public is kindly requested not to submit applications for police clearance reports until the data system has been restored.  Once the system is operational again, applicants may resubmit their clearance report applications.

The Police Information Technology Division, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT), conducted a series of cybersecurity awareness workshops for police officers serving in the Galle, Elpitiya, Matara and Tangalle Police Divisions in the Southern Province on 10, 11 and 12 August 2026. The workshop series was organized on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, and under the guidance of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Police Research and Information Technology, Ms. Nishani Seneviratne, and the Director of the Police Information Technology Division, Senior Superintendent of Police K.G. Laksiri Geethal. The workshops were attended by Officers-in-Charge of Police Stations, Officers-in-Charge of Crime Branches, Officers-in-Charge of Children and Women’s Bureaus, and computer operators attached to the respective divisions. The primary objective of the programme was to provide police officers with the necessary knowledge and guidance to effectively implement the Government’s cybersecurity policies, thereby strengthening both national and institutional security. During the workshops, Sri Lanka CERT Chief Information Officer Mr. Nirosh Ananda, Cybersecurity and Capacity Development Manager Mr. Thilina Dissanayake, and Police Inspector Mr. H.K.E. Harshaka of the Police Information Technology Division delivered informative lectures on emerging forms of cybercrime, associated risks, and measures that can be adopted to protect against cyber threats. Approximately 300 police officers participated in the workshops and gained knowledge on identifying, preventing and responding to modern cyber threats.

Special Information Management System Introduced to Facilitate the Public Attending the 2026 Kandy Esala Perahera The annual historic Kandy Esala Perahera will be held from 18.08.2026 to 28.08.2026 in and around the city of Kandy.  The Sri Lanka Police has implemented a comprehensive special security programme to ensure the safety and convenience of the public and devotees attending the Perahera. As part of this program, special arrangements have been made for traffic control, roadblocks, security duties, vehicle and personnel checks, visitor assistance, and vehicle parking. Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Police has introduced a special information management system to enable the public to obtain essential information related to the Kandy Esala Perahera in real time. Through this system, members of the public and devotees attending the Perahera can obtain live information on the following.  Locations of designated vehicle parking areas Routes of the Perahera procession Suitable locations for viewing the Perahera Locations of available sanitary facilities Locations where separated or stranded persons can be reunited with their family members How to Access the Information System  The public can access this service through either of the following methods Visit the official website of the Sri Lanka Police, www.police.lk, and select the “Kandy Esala Perahera” link.  Visit the dedicated website  https://perahera.police.lk , which has been developed specifically to provide information relating to the Perahera. By using this service, the public and devotees can obtain quick and convenient access to real-time information, helping them avoid unnecessary traffic congestion, reduce travel delays, and plan their journeys more efficiently. The system has also been designed to be accessible from mobile phones, tablets, and computers, enabling members of the public to obtain information from any location and thereby enhancing their safety, convenience, and overall experience during the Perahera. Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Police kindly requests the public and devotees to make use of this service when travelling to Kandy to witness the historic Esala Perahera, thereby ensuring a safer, smoother, and more convenient journey for everyone. Press conference