Author name: Tharindu Withanage

In conjunction with Police Heroes’ Day, observed on March 21 in remembrance of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, the Sri Lanka Police, with the participation of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, conducted a morning offering to the Sacred Tooth Relic enshrined at the Kandy Dalada Maligawa. The event was attended by the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Central Province, Mr. Lalith Pathinayake, along with senior officers from the Kandy and Matale Police Divisions, as well as family members of fallen officers. During this solemn and respectful observance, the IGP placed police division flags before the Sacred Tooth Relic and invoked blessings for all members of the police force.

The 162nd Police Heroes’ Day Commemoration was solemnly held on the morning of 21 March 2026 under the patronage of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. The ceremony was conducted with dignity and reverence, in remembrance of the brave police personnel of the Sri Lanka Police who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty throughout the nation’s history. Amidst a ceremonial guard of honour comprising police officers and Police Special Task Force personnel, the IGP, together with the family members of the fallen heroes, paid floral tributes at the War Heroes’ Memorial located at the Police Field Force Headquarters. Addressing the gathering, the IGP stated that he would honour and remember the fallen police officers “each day at sunrise and sunset,” and affirmed his unwavering commitment to the welfare and well-being of their families. According to official records, beginning from the sacrifice of Police Constable Sabahan, who lost his life while executing orders to apprehend Saradiel in Utuwankande under the direction of Kegalle District Attorney E. R. Saunders—to the present day, a total of 5,789 police officers have laid down their lives in the line of duty. Among them are seven female officers. Additionally, 464 officers of the Police Special Task Force have made the ultimate sacrifice, while 1,633 police personnel have sustained disabilities in the course of their service. During the 30-year North-Eastern conflict, 2,598 officers sacrificed their lives in the interest of national peace and security, and 1,575 others were left permanently disabled. The first female police officer to be martyred in the history of the Sri Lanka Police was Officer Ms. Yashomaneke, who lost her life while performing her duties in Kandy on 16 July 1989. At this year’s commemoration, the Commander of the Police Field Force Headquarters, Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Hemal Prashantha, served as the Chief Commander of the Guard of Honour. A large number of senior police officers, including Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police, were also present to pay homage at the War Heroes’ Memorial and to mark the occasion with due respect and solemnity.

On September 3, 1866, the Sri Lanka Police was formally established under constitutional provisions by its first Inspector General of Police, G. W. R. Campbell, a British national. Prior to this formal establishment, the foundations of policing in the country evolved gradually. During the Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka, a district officer was appointed to administer the Colombo area. This was followed by the appointment of a police constable in 1806, and in 1815, the designation “police peon” was officially changed to “police constable,” marking a progressive development in law enforcement duties. In 1832, the Police Ordinance No. 03 of 1832 was enacted by a committee appointed by Sir Robert Wilmot Horton. At that time, approximately 1,430 officers served as a police force under the leadership of a Superintendent of Police. The Sri Lanka Police commemorates Police Heroes’ Day annually on March 21st. This date marks the sacrifice of Police Constable Sahan, who, while carrying out orders issued by Kegalle District Attorney E. R. Saunders to apprehend Utuwankanda Saradiel—a figure resisting colonial rule—lost his life during a confrontation. One of the earliest memorials dedicated to a fallen police officer in Sri Lanka is located at the Utuwankanda Junction, where a monument stands in tribute to an officer who died in the line of duty. Accordingly, today (21), we solemnly observe the 162nd Police Heroes’ Day, paying tribute to the courageous officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in safeguarding the nation. This includes those who laid down their lives during the nearly three-decade-long Sri Lankan Civil War, as well as those who perished in the line of duty while confronting threats to public peace, law, and national security. Statement by Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Fredrick Wootler

To support the educational aspirations of Sri Lankan students, OCU granted these 75 full scholarships on 19 March 2026. This initiative, organized to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple, was carried out under his direct leadership and concept. The program was inaugurated at the Police Headquarters in the presence of the Inspector General of Police. The Chairperson of the Police Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Nilmini Neeta Samaratunga, also attended the event. These scholarships were presented as a tribute to the children of police officers who have rendered exceptional service to the nation, as well as to academically gifted students facing significant economic hardships. Special recognition was given to Dr. Dulan Hettiarachchi for his valuable contribution toward advancing Sri Lanka’s education sector to an international standard and for extending essential support to students. This humanitarian initiative, implemented by OCU under the direction of Assaji Thero, helps safeguard the right to education for future generations of the country. The event was also attended by the Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusuf; the Secretary of Education of the Western Province, Vernan Perera; Senior DIG (Administration) Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmaratne; DIG Police Headquarters Mr. Nalaka Silva; and several other distinguished guests.

A newly established crime scene lab at the Thambuttegama Superintendent of Police Office Complex was ceremonially inaugurated on 17.03.2026 by the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. The Thambuttegama Police Division comprises 12 police stations, and the primary objective of establishing this facility is to provide essential technical and scientific support for the investigation of crimes occurring within the division. The laboratory will enhance investigative capabilities through the application of modern forensic techniques. This initiative can also be recognized as a significant step toward accurately identifying offenders and ensuring justice for innocent individuals by carefully analyzing even the most minute pieces of evidence during criminal investigations. The event was attended by the Senior Deputy Inspector General in charge of the North Central Province, Mr. Thilak T.C.A. Dhanapala; the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Thambuttegama Division, Mr. I.C.U.Y. Kandewatte; and several other distinguished officers.