Author name: Tharindu Withanage

To further sustain the long-standing cooperation between the Sri Lanka Police and the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, a meeting was conducted between the Acting Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, and local officials of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society on the morning of 08.04. 2025, at Police Headquarters. Wherever there is a war or disaster in the world, the Red Cross is well prepared to work with great dedication alongside security personnel, including police officers, to provide relief and assistance to those suffering from the disaster. It is commendable the unwavering support and assistance given by the officers of the Red Cross Organisation in Sri Lanka, especially during the nearly thirty-year war in the country, as well as in the training workshops and courses currently being conducted for police officers.  

The ceremony held in recognition of the police officers, who had made a commendable contribution to police duty, exhibiting exceptional skills in solving crimes while performing duties in the Negombo Police Division, was held on the morning of 08th April 2025, at the Nethmi Banquet Hall of the Divulapitiya Police Area, under the leadership of the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province, Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmarathne, with the participation of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province North Range. A reward of Rs. 22,539,150/= has been recommended for 914 officers performing duties attached to 12 police stations in the Negombo Division, and 125 officers were symbolically presented with cash rewards and IGP commendations during the ceremony. Gazetted Officers, Officers of the Inspector’s Grade, Police Sergeants, Women Police Sergeants, Police Constables, Women Police Constables, Police Sergeant Drivers, and Police Constable Drivers have become eligible to receive these cash rewards and IGP Commendations. Many police officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police of Negombo Division Mr. Ashoka Dharmasena, Senior Superintendent of Police of Gampaha Division Mr. Jagath Rohana, and Senior Superintendent of Police of Kelaniya Division Mr. Nuwan Asanka, also participated in this event.

The ceremony held in recognition of the police officers, who had made a commendable contribution to police duty, exhibiting exceptional skills in solving crimes while performing duties in the Kelaniya and Gampaha Police Divisions, was held on 09th April 2025, at the Ramrich Reception Hall of the Ja-Ela Police Area, under the leadership of the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province, Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmarathne, with the participation of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province North Range, Mr. Priyantha Liyanage. A reward of Rs. 12,916,300/- has been granted for 75 officers performing duties attached to 13 Police stations in the Kelaniya Division including Western Province North Crime Division and Western Province North Traffic Division, and a reward of Rs. 15,509,437.50/- has been granted for 54 officers performing duties attached to 18 Police stations in the Gampaha Division. Officers of the Inspector’s Grade, Police Sergeants, Women Police Sergeants, Police Constables, Women Police Constables, Police Sergeant Drivers, and Police Constable Drivers have become eligible to receive these cash rewards. Many police officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police of Kelaniya Division Mr. Nuwan Asanka, Senior Superintendent of Police of Gampaha Division Mr. Jagath Rohana, and Senior Superintendent of Police of Negombo Division Mr. Ashoka Dharmasena, also participated in this event. 

The Passing Out Ceremony of the 82nd Basic Training Course of the Police Special Task Force was held at the Police Special Task Force Training School, Katukurunda, on the afternoon of 07.04.2025 under the auspices of the Hon. President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During the 82nd Police Special Task Force Training Course, 118 Probationary Sub Inspectors of Police, and 231 Probationary Police Constables have undergone basic training under 08 syndicates. Officer M. M. R. Perera was awarded and offered certificates as the best Probationary Sub Inspector of Police while Police Constable 105475 W. M. S. D. U. Dharmasiri as the best Probationary Police Constable. Out of these 08 syndicates, the 05th syndicate, trained under Inspector of Police – Mr. Theja Gunasekara received the award for the outstanding syndicate.  Furthermore, the Hon. President presented awards and certificates in recognition of Probationary Police Constable 105633 R. K. Y. P. P. Rajamanthri as the officer with the best physical fitness of the course, Probationary Police Constable 105864 H. D. K. T. Gunarathna as the best marksman of the course for using the T-56 weapon, Probationary Sub Inspector of Police, W. I. M. Perera as the best marksman of the course for using the M-16 weapon, and Probationary Sub Inspector of Police, O. G. C. J. Somasuriya as the best marksman of the course for using the pistol.   Thereafter, the officers of the Police Special Task Force presented an operational demonstration on a simulated battlefield exhibiting the skills acquired during the training.  The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs  Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Acting Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Priyantha Weerasooriya, Police Special Task Force Commandant, Deputy Inspector General of Police Samantha de Silva, Director Training Police Special Task Force and Zonal Commander Kalutara Senior Superintendent of Police Nishedha Fernando, high-ranking officers, police officers and parents and relatives of the passing-out officers also participated in this event.  

In order to expedite the completion of various criminal investigations conducted by the Police Investigation Divisions under the leadership of the Criminal Investigation Department, the Sri Lanka Police is entering into Memorandum of Understandings with other institutions that can provide useful data in connection with these investigations, with the aim of improving mutual cooperation with those institutions.     Accordingly, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya signed bi- lateral MoU agreements with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Gem & Jewelry Authority, Government Valuation Department and National Planning Center on 03rd of April 2025, in connection with investigations into money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Acting Inspector General of Police Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya on behalf of Sri Lanka Police, Chairman and chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mangala Wijesingha, on behalf of Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Government chief Valuation Officer, Mr. A, S, W. K. Nanayakkara representing Government Valuation Department, Chairmen and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Anthony Naweendra representing Gem & Jewelry Authority ,Chairman Mr. Sisira Amarabandu representing National Planning Center participated in this occasion of signing the Memorandum of Understanding Agreement.         Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Senior Superintendent of Police, Mrs. Imesha Muthumali, Director of the Legal Division, Mr. D.M.N.C. Somasingha participated in this event.