Author name: Tharindu Withanage

The opening ceremony of the renovated administrative building of the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station was took place on the morning of 04.09.2025 at the Station’s premises under the patronage of the Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijepala, and with the participation of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Priyantha Weerasuriya. This administrative building, which is 102 years old, has been renovated at a cost of Rs. 70 million and converted into a fully-fledged building equipped with a new armory. In 1923, this building was donated to the Sri Lanka Police by the Obeysekara family, and Mrs. Sondral Hiranthi Obeysekara, a member of that family, also took part in this ceremony. The Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Senior Professor Kapila Seneviratne; the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province, Sanjeewa Dharmaratne; the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Colombo Range, Nishantha De Zoysa; the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Colombo South Division, D.L.A. Sooriyabandara; and a group of police officers participated in this event.

The Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) of the Sri Lanka Police, which investigates controversial crimes taking place in this country and unsolved crimes reported from this country in the past and is responsible for bringing the real perpetrators of those crimes to justice, is currently conducting its investigations efficiently. Accordingly, the main objective of establishing this bureau is to conduct investigations for the purpose of taking legal action through the identification of the criminal networks and criminals operating in the country, by having been able to assist the Criminal Investigation Department directly in investigating crimes such as illegal assets, homicide and organised crimes, cybercrimes, human trafficking, smuggling and maritime crimes. In order to achieve these objectives and mission, the establishment of the Police Central Criminal Investigation Bureau in an office allocated in the Labour Department Building in Narahenpita, which has been identified as a proper workspace, was carried out on 04.09.2025 under the leadership of the Minister of Public Security, Mr. Ananda Wijeyapala, and the Deputy Minister of Labour, Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe. A number of senior police officers, including Inspector General of Police (Attorney-at-Law) Mr Priyantha Weerasooriya, SDIG in charge of the Central Province, Mr Lalith Pathinayake, SDIG in charge of the Central Crime Investigation Bureau, Mr Ranmal Kodituwakku, and the Director of the said Bureau, Superintendent of Police Mr Kamal Ariyawansa, participated in this event.

The new office of Senior Superintendent of Police, Homagama close to Godagama Junction in Meegoda Police Area was declared open on 03. 09. 2025 under the leadership of the Hon. Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Sunil Watagala, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Priyantha Weerasuriya (Attorney-at-Law). The office of Senior Superintendent of Police, Homagama comprises of nine police stations; Kottawa, Homagama, Meegoda, Athurugiriya, Navagamuwa, Kaduwela, Padukka, Hanwella, Kosgama, and Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr. C.D. Liyanage is presently discharging duties as the officer in charge of Homagama Division. The public can contact the new office of Senior Superintendent of Police, which has been established for efficient and effective public service, through 071 – 8592113. Senior Police officers including the Inspector General of Police, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Western Province, Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmarathna, DIG in charge of Western Province South Range, Mr. Pradeep Kalupahana participated in the event.

As the most people friendly government institution, having successfully overcome the obstacles and challenges that arose from time to time during the history spanning over a century and a half, that is 159 years since the day Sir G. W. R. Campbell was appointed as the first Inspector General of Police on 03rd September 1866, to the date 03.09.2025, presently we work towards preserving law and order in the country with greater strength. Taking its pride into consideration, the 159th Police Day ceremony was held on 03 – 09 – 2025 at the Police Field Force Headquarters Grounds, Bambalapitiya under the leadership of Hon. President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijepala, the Deputy Minister of the said Ministry, Mr. Sunil Watagala, the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Rtd. Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyakontha, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Rtd. S.D.I.G. Ravi Seneviratne, the Commanders of the Tri-Forces, senior government officials and many distinguished guests have participated in the event. The anniversary celebration commenced with the ceremonial parade, consisting of 5 platoons led by platoon commanders, who are senior police officers on horseback, giving salute to the President. Then a short silence was observed in honour and memory of the 3050 police officers who have lost their lives so far in the line of duty, prior to the welcome speech by the Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya (Attorney-at-Law). Thereafter, arose the occasion for awarding promotions for 4254 Police Special Task Force officers and Police Officers below the rank of Chief Inspector of Police whose promotions had been long overdue indefinitely. Accordingly, several officers symbolically received their promotion letters from the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijepala, the Deputy Minister of Public Security, Mr. Sunil Watagala, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne. Then came the conferment of Presidential Commendations to the two police officers who led the famous overseas operation carried out by a local team of police officers last week. Hon. President, Anura Kumara awarded the President’s Police Gallantry Medal (Janadhipathi Police Weeratha Padakkama) to the Director of the Western Province North Crime Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Olugala, and the Assistant Superintendent of Police of Criminal Investigation Department, A. M. M. Jayasundara, for their outstanding performance of duty in arresting five notorious organized criminals in Indonesia and bringing them back to the country. Thereafter, addressing the Police Day celebrations, the President, extended his best wishes for the future journey of the Sri Lanka Police, while appreciating Sri Lanka Police, and commending and motivating the officers. The Inspector General of Police presented a commemorative memento to the President in honour of his presence on this occasion. Following the successful conclusion of the ceremonial proceedings, spectacular displays were performed by the Police Western Band, the Police Special Task Force, the Police Kennels Division, and the Police Cultural Division, through which the diverse skills and resources of the Sri Lanka Police were exhibited to all those present in a splendid manner. All events of this proud 159th Anniversary Celebration were broadcasted live via the official Facebook page of Sri Lanka Police by the Police Media Division, together with the Police Information Technology Division and the Police Communication Division.

The 12-storey building, located on an area of about 3 acres in the Kompannaveediya area, which has been used as the Sri Lanka Police Headquarters since 15.03.2024, was officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Police on this morning, 03.09.2025, under the patronage of Mr. Ananda Wijepala, the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs. This marks a significant milestone in the history of the Sri Lanka, as today (03) Sri Lanka Police celebrates its 159th Anniversary. Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Sunil Watagala; Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne; Inspector General of Police (Attorney-at-Law), Mr. Priyantha Weerasuriya; and senior police officers have graced this occasion. Amidst religious blessings, the Minister officially declared open the new Police Headquarters and conveyed his congratulations to the Inspector General of Police.

The Sri Lanka Police, which has a history spanning over a century, is proudly celebrating its 159th anniversary this year.In conjunction with the Police Anniversary Day, a number of programs have been organized at police stations across the Island from this morning, 03.09.2025, to seek religious blessings for the future of the Sri Lanka Police.  A large number of police officers representing all ranks were provided with the opportunity to join the major all religious events held on the morning of 03.09.2025, with the participation of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Priyantha Weerasooriya, and the Senior Deputy Inspector General of the Western Province, Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, at the Gangaramaya Viharaya in Kompannaveediya, the Bambalapitiya Kadireshan Hindu Kovil, the Dawatagahawatta Mosque in Kurunduwatta and the Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Kampannaveediya.