Special Events

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.

A delegation from the People’s Republic of China, led by Mr. Zhang Yong, Deputy Minister of the National Immigration Administration of China, who arrived in Sri Lanka for bilateral discussions on cooperation between China and Sri Lanka, met with the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya, at Police Headquarters on 14.03.2026. During the meeting, discussions focused on the progress of measures implemented by both countries to combat activities that threaten public security, including organized crime, human trafficking, and cybercrime, as well as the adoption and application of modern technologies to address such challenges. The Inspector General of Police also participated in bilateral talks held at the Ministry of Public Security between Mr. Zhang Yong and the Chinese delegation and Mr. Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs. The discussions centered on strengthening cooperation on several key matters related to immigration and emigration administration, prevention of organized crime, and the enhancement of public security. The event was also attended by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, Mr. Qi Zhenhong, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, Acting Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration Mr. Chaminda Pathiraja, along with several other senior government officials.

A stock of 40.539 kg of heroin, 132.79 kg of ketamine, 55 g of cocaine, and 3,482 narcotic tablets, which had been seized during raids conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau and whose related court cases had been concluded, was transported from the Colombo High Court to the Wanathavilluwa area in Puttalam on the morning of 13.03.2026 for destruction by incineration. In addition to this consignment, 19 kg of heroin related to concluded cases from the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court, along with case exhibits from nearly 1,500 cases stored at the Government Analyst’s Department, were also scheduled to be destroyed on the same day. The narcotics were transported to the incinerator facility located in the Lactowatta area of Wanathavilluwa at around 09.00 a.m., under special security provided by the Police Special Task Force. The drugs were subsequently incinerated and destroyed in the presence of Honourable Magistrates, officials from the Government Analyst’s Department, officers of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, and members of the Sri Lanka Police.

In conjunction with Ramadan 2026, an Iftar ceremony organized by the Police Buddhist and Religious Affairs Association for Islamic officers serving in the Sri Lanka Police was held on the evening of 12.03.2026 at the Marino Beach Banquet Hall in Kollupitiya. The event was attended by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Retired Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne, and the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, along with many other distinguished guests. Approximately 400 Islamic police officers representing police divisions from across the island also participated in the ceremony. The event was organized to promote unity, mutual respect, and religious harmony within the Sri Lanka Police.

The newly constructed residential building of “Navadigantaya” Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, operated in the Urapola area of Nittambuwa under the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, was ceremonially opened on 10.03.2026 under the patronage of the Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijepala, with the participation of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasuriya. This building has been constructed under the provisions of the “Clean Sri Lanka” National Project, implemented as part of the “Rich Country – Beautiful Life” National Programme. The construction of the facility was completed with the technical expertise and labour contribution of the Sri Lanka Navy from its initial stages. With the addition of this new building, the centre is now able to provide residential accommodation for a larger number of individuals seeking rehabilitation services at “Navadigantaya”, either voluntarily or accompanied by their guardians. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe, Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs Mohamed Munir Mulafar, Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province Sajeewa Medawatte, as well as officials of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board. The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, whose primary mandate is to provide treatment and rehabilitation for individuals affected by drug addiction, currently operates similar rehabilitation centres in Thalangama in the Colombo District, Peradeniya in the Kandy District, and Unawatuna in the Galle District. Accordingly, individuals suffering from drug addiction are encouraged to seek assistance voluntarily by visiting the nearest treatment and rehabilitation centre.

A training workshop organized by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to enhance the knowledge and investigative skills of security personnel in relation to people smuggling and human trafficking investigations commenced on the morning of 09.03.2026 at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, under the patronage of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. Officers representing the Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Navy, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Customs, and the Coast Guard are participating in this program. The workshop is scheduled to continue for a period of 12 days, concluding on 20.03.2026.