Author name: Tharindu Withanage

The Police Family Welfare Association has established the “Tiny Tots” Preschool Trio, located at Kew Road, Maradana, and the Police Field Force Headquarters. The annual variety show for 2025, featuring the talented children of the “Tiny Tots” Preschool Trio, was held ceremonially on 9th January 2026 at the Cultural Centre Auditorium, France. The event, originally scheduled to take place last year, had been temporarily postponed by the organizing committee due to unfavorable weather conditions that affected the entire island. The chief guests for the occasion were Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya and the Chairperson of Police Seva Vanitha, Mrs. Nilmini Samarathunga. Senior DIG Mr. Rajitha Sri Daminda, DIG Mr. W. V. Ginige, along with several distinguished invitees, including a former Chairperson of Police Seva Vanitha, were also in attendance. The programme was enriched with colourful dance performances, melodious singing, and creative presentations by the children, highlighting their natural talents and artistic abilities. The event also reflected the commitment of the Police Family Welfare Association towards the well-being of children in police families and the promotion of early childhood development. The auditorium was filled with proud parents and police officers who enthusiastically witnessed the performances. The event concluded on a highly successful note.

The annual plastic insurance card currently issued by insurance companies to vehicle owners will be phased out in the future. In its place, arrangements are underway to introduce a permanent digital insurance card (e-card), developed under the guidance of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL). A special awareness programme was organized by the Ministry of Public Security in collaboration with the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka to brief police officers engaged in road-side insurance verification, along with senior police officials including the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. The event was held on 07 January 2026 at the auditorium of the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs. The programme was attended by the Hon. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Public Security, Mr. Ananda Wijeyapala, the Hon. Deputy Minister, Mr. Sunil Watagala, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. The Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Dr. Ajith Ravindra de Mel, delivered the keynote address, outlining the objectives and advantages of the new digital insurance system. Addressing the gathering, Dr. de Mel emphasized that the introduction of the digital insurance card would help resolve several longstanding issues within the insurance sector, including environmental pollution caused by the annual disposal of plastic cards, the substantial financial costs involved in producing physical cards, and other operational challenges faced by the industry. The programme commenced with the distribution of 500 tablet devices to traffic police officers in the Western Province, enabling efficient access to the enhanced Sri Lanka Police Road Accident Data Management System and facilitating the verification of the new digital insurance e-card. In addition, 150 tablet devices were symbolically handed over to selected police officers. The event was attended by the Director General of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Ms. Damayanthi Fernando, the Senior Deputy Inspector General in charge of Administration of the Sri Lanka Police, Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, the President of the Sri Lanka Insurers’ Association, Mr. Lasitha Wimaratne, along with senior government officials, police officers, and executives representing insurance companies.

The Sri Lanka Police made a financial donation of Rs. 50 million to strengthen the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund established by the government to provide relief to the people affected by Cyclone Ditwah and rebuild the damaged infrastructure. The cheque for this financial donation was officially handed over to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat on 06.01.2026. The donation was made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. The fund has been raised based on the contribution made from the salaries of all officers of the Sri Lanka Police, and the police officers have made this commitment to fulfill their responsibility for the country during a national disaster while maintaining law and order in the country.

The motherland was further strengthened with the addition of three hundred and fourteen newly trained apprentice officers, reaffirming the Sri Lanka Police’s commitment to safeguarding law and order and ensuring a peaceful environment for the public to carry out their daily lives. In line with this objective, a dynamic group of young men and women who joined the Sri Lanka Police to enhance its human resources were ceremonially inducted as proud public officers on the evening of 04 January 2026 at the Pahalagama Police College. The dignified graduation ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijeyapala, with the participation of the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, and the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. At the ceremony, 314 apprentice officers who had reported to the Nikaweratiya and Pahalagama Police Colleges on 08 June 2025 successfully graduated, comprising 240 Police Constables and 74 Apprentice Police Drivers. These officers had completed an intensive seven-month basic training programme at Sri Lanka Police College, during which they acquired essential competencies in law, discipline, physical training, and practical policing skills required for effective police service. Several outstanding trainees were recognised for their exceptional performance: Best Shooter – Apprentice Police Constable 107695 Imesh Pasidhu Vidana Pathirana Best Driver – Apprentice Police Constable Driver 107837 Ananda Dissanayakege Dilshan Best Apprentice Officer in Law – Apprentice Police Constable 107616 Jayarange Thenuka Deminda Senanayake Best Apprentice Police Constable Driver (Overall Performance) – Apprentice Police Constable Driver 107812 Uve Hangili Gedera Chathurana Dhananjaya Herath Best Apprentice Police Constable (Overall Performance) – Apprentice Police Constable 107599 Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Shamika Dilshan Dissanayake The ceremonial parade of ten Police Constables was led by the Chief Commanding Officer, Superintendent of Police Minura Senarath of the Colombo Central Division, who rode a horse named Beachvale, imported from the Netherlands. The Second-in-Command was Chief Inspector of Police P.D. Milan Oshantha, Commanding Officer of the Elpitiya Police College. The procession to the parade ground was led by Police Sergeant 33340 Priyantha of the Pahalagama Police College. Following the formal farewell parade, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Recruitment and Training Directorate, Mr. Anura Pushpakumara, delivered the welcome address. He warmly welcomed the Chief Guests, including Senior DIG Administration Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, Senior DIG Special Bureau, Training and Advanced Training, Attorney-at-Law Sampath Kumara Liyanage, and senior police officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police Chinthaka Gunaratne, who retired from the post of Director of the Police Academy Division on the same day. Senior government officials representing major public and private institutions, along with parents and well-wishers of the graduating officers, were also present at the event. Addressing the gathering, both the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs and the Inspector General of Police congratulated the newly commissioned officers and emphasized the importance of professionalism, discipline, integrity, and dedication in building a successful career in police service. The ceremony concluded with vibrant performances by the Sri Lanka Police Western Band, the Police Cultural Division, and the Police College Motorcycle Display Team, adding colour and excitement to the occasion. Meanwhile, nearly 28,000 viewers joined the official Sri Lanka Police Facebook page to watch the entire event live.

Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Chinthaka Gunaratne respectfully concluded his illustrious career in the Sri Lanka Police upon reaching the age of 60, retiring from service while serving as the Director of the Police Cadet Division. In appreciation of his exemplary leadership and dedicated service, officers of the Kalutara Police College organised a felicitation ceremony on 03 January 2026, during which he was honoured with the traditional salute of the Sri Lanka Police. The event was attended by numerous senior government officials and distinguished invitees. Born on 05 January 1966, Mr. Chinthaka Gunaratne is the eldest of five children. He hails from a family with a proud policing legacy, as his mother served in the Sri Lanka Police, joining as a Woman Police Constable and retiring with the rank of Police Inspector. A distinguished alumnus of Ananda College, Colombo, he excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities, notably winning the prestigious IGP Challenge Cup as a school cadet. An accomplished athlete, Mr. Gunaratne also holds an outstanding record in the 400-metre race. He successfully passed the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination in Biology with distinction and subsequently entered the University of Colombo. Recognising that his leadership qualities and discipline were best suited to a career in law enforcement, he joined the Sri Lanka Police on 15 March 1988 as a Sub-Inspector, committing himself to serving the nation. Throughout his professional journey, he demonstrated exceptional competence and dedication, steadily rising through the ranks to become a Senior Superintendent of Police. He also represented Sri Lanka with distinction in United Nations peacekeeping missions in East Timor, Mozambique, and South Sudan. Notably, he remains the only officer in the history of the Sri Lanka Police to have been awarded four medals for international peacekeeping service. Senior Superintendent of Police Chinthaka Gunaratne has held several key appointments, including Assistant Director of Training at the Kalutara Police College, President of the Sri Lanka Police Inspectors’ Association, Personal Security Officer to the President, and Advisor to four United Nations missions. Appointed as Director of the Police Cadet Division on 16 June 2022, he made significant contributions to the advancement of both the Police College system and the Police Cadet movement. The Sri Lanka Police warmly extend their best wishes to Senior Superintendent of Police Chinthaka Gunaratne for a peaceful and fulfilling retirement, together with his beloved wife, daughter, and sons.