Author name: Tharindu Withanage

The new Children and Women’s Bureau building, constructed with modern facilities within the premises of Police Station Kalutara South, was declared open on the morning of 27.03.2025 under the leadership of the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Akio Isomata, and the Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Sunil Watagala. The objective of formally establishing a Children and Women’s Bureau with modern facilities is to create a suitable environment for children and women in the area to file a complaint regarding issues they encounter or crimes committed against them while protecting their privacy and to create a working environment suitable for taking action to prevent crimes committed against them. This initiative will be further implemented in police stations established island-wide funded by the Government of Japan under the United Nations Population Fund, and this is the 08th building constructed through the said initiative. Measures have been taken to arrange a separate area for breastfeeding the children of mothers who come to lodge complaints, a play area for children, and a ladies waiting room in this building. The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, retired Senior DIG – Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, Senior DIG in charge of Western Province – Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, Senior WDIG in charge of Children and Women’s Bureau – Ms. Renuka Jayasundara, SSP in charge of Kalutara Division – Mr. Kavinda Piyasekara, representatives of the United Nations Population Fund, members of the Community Policing Committee, and a number of senior police officers participated in this inauguration ceremony.

A ceremony of awarding prizes and IGP commendations for the police officers who are exceptionally talented and skilled both in service as well as in personal life in solving crimes was held under the leadership of Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. Ravi Senevirathne, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, and with the participation of Acting Inspector General of Police Mr. Priyantha Weerasuriya in the evening of the 26th of March, 2025, at the Criminal Records Division. On this occasion, a prize of over 24 million rupees and 25 IGP commendations were symbolically awarded to 140 police officers by the Acting Inspector General of Police. Accordingly, necessary arrangements have been made for awarding monetary prizes exceeding 29 million rupees from the Police Rewards Fund, as well as IGP Commendations for 515 individuals, which include 13 Gazetted Officers, 100 Inspectors’ Grade Officers, 5 Women Inspectors’ Grade Officers, 231 Police Sergeants and Constables, 38 Women Police Sergeants and Constables, 8 Driver Police Sergeants and Constables, in addition to 113 officers from the Sri Lanka Army and Navy, 1 Civil Security Officer, and 6 civilians.Accordingly, the Police Divisional level has also been awarded prizes and during this prize giving season, more than Rs. 29 million has been paid from the Police Prize Fund, including the IGP’s commendation, to 13 government notified officers, 100 inspectors’ grade officers, and 100 police officers.

In addition to the unsurpassed service performed by the Sri Lanka Police to maintain law and order in the country and to ensure public security, it is constantly taking necessary measures to provide the necessary facilities to its officers to make the country proud through sports. The Sri Lanka Police, which has been able to secure the national-level championship in boxing for the longest time, has made a new boxing ring at the Kalutara Police College, as another step taken for the future development of the sport. It was opened for the use of police officers on the morning of 26.03.2025, with the participation of Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sajeewa Medawatte, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Training and Higher Training Range, Mr. Jagath Seram, who is in charge of the Galle Range and the current President of the Police Boxing Association, and Mr. Manoj Perera, Senior Superintendent of Police and the Secretary of the Police Boxing Association. The aim is to provide such new opportunities and facilities in the future to improve the physical and mental concentration, resilience and other qualities necessary for the life of a police officer. A number of senior police officers, probationary police officers and persons involved in boxing participated in this event.

The Iftar Ceremony organised by the Sri Lanka Police Buddhist and Religious Affairs Association for the Islamic officers serving in the Sri Lanka Police on the occasion of the fasting month of Ramadan was held on the evening of 24.03.2025 at the Marina Grand Hotel, Wellawatte, under the patronage of the Hon. Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Sunil Watagala. Ambassadors of Islamic countries, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, Senior Police Officers, including Acting Inspector General of Police, Attorney at Law, Mr. Priyantha Weerasuriya, and Islamic Police Officers serving in police stations across the island participated in this event.