Special Events

The 78th National Independence Day Parade of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was ceremonially held on 04 February 2026 at Independence Square, Colombo, under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency the President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Having ensured security at every Independence Day celebration since the first commemoration in 1949, the Sri Lanka Police once again played a pivotal role this year. Under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, the Sri Lanka Police proudly participated in the national parade, upholding its longstanding tradition of service and dedication. The celebrations commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by His Excellency the President, who arrived in ceremonial procession at the forefront of police motorcycles, symbolizing authority and national pride. Following the Presidential Address, the Awards Parade of the 78th Independence Day celebrations began, featuring the Tri-Forces, the Sri Lanka Police, the Civil Defence Force, and the National Cadet Corps. The Sri Lanka Police Awards Parade was led by Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Nishantha Chandrasekara, mounted on the horse Henk. He was flanked by mounted escorts bearing swords—Superintendent of Police Mr. Lasith Abeywickrama, Superintendent of Police Mr. Isuru Nishantha, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Ruchira Karunanayake. Next, the Sri Lanka Police— the foremost state institution established on 03 September 1866 to maintain law and order—marched proudly behind the Police Flag. Bearing the historic motto “Dhammo Have Rakkathi Dhammachari” and the emblem of the elephant symbolizing strength, the formation was led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Chamara Herath. Two Sub-Inspectors of Police marched on either side, carrying ceremonial swords. Thereafter, the oldest security force band in Sri Lanka, established in 1873—and the same band that proudly performed the National Anthem at the first Independence Day celebration—took center stage. Under the direction of Drum Major Police Constable Mr. Piumal Thilakaratne, the band led the Sri Lanka Police Battalion commanded by Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Sameera Rajapaksa. The Chief Drill Instructor, Sergeant Major Mr. Piyasiri Wijesundera, followed closely behind. Subsequently, the Women Police Battalion, established on 01 January 1952, marched with distinction under the command ofy Women Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mrs. Inoka Liyanage. The Police Special Task Force (STF), established in 1983 and widely recognized as one of the finest paramilitary forces in South Asia, also participated in the parade, proudly paying tribute to His Excellency the President. The Police Special Task Force Flag, bearing the motto “Niyathai Jaya”, was carried by Chief Inspector of Police Mr. Chandana Piyasena. The Police Special Task Force Band, led by Drum Major Police Constable Mr. Suneth Perera, guided the Police Special Task Force Battalion commanded by Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Gayan Sanjeewa. Demonstrating exceptional discipline and precision, the battalion was followed by the Chief Drill Instructor of the STF, Police Sergeant Mr. Chaminda Herath. One of the most vibrant and visually striking segments of the Police Awards Parade was the appearance of the Police Horsemen, led by Superintendent of Police Mr. Minura Senarath. The Police Mounted Division, which originated in 1921 with eight British police officers, holds the distinction of being the second instance globally where mounted units were employed for police duties. Training for the Sri Lanka Police Independence Day Parade was conducted under the supervision of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police – Training and Advanced Training, Mr. Sampath Liyanage. The official explanatory commentary and announcements for the Police Awards Parade were delivered by Sub-Inspector of Police Mr. Nimal Abeysinghe of the Police Media Division.

In accordance with a proposal made by the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, an Environmental Police Week has been declared in conjunction with the 78th National Independence Day, which falls on 04 February 2026. Accordingly, an island-wide tree-planting programme is being implemented under the guidance of the Community Policing and Environmental Protection Directorate. Under this initiative, approximately 25,000 valuable plant saplings, including cardamom, mee, jackfruit, and various fruit plants, are to be distributed to police stations throughout the island. The official inauguration ceremony of the sapling distribution programme was held on the morning of 02 February 2026 at the Police Field Force Headquarters. On this occasion, around 2,500 saplings were symbolically distributed to 126 police stations in the Western Province under the patronage of the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijeyapala, with the participation of the Inspector General of Police. Under the supervision of the Forest Conservation Department, the saplings will be transported to all police stations across the island over the coming days, together with the necessary guidelines for proper planting and maintenance. The Community Policing and Environmental Protection Directorate will also conduct post-planting monitoring and follow-up to ensure the success of the initiative. With the commitment of the Environmental Police Officers and the entire police force, this programme is expected to significantly enhance green coverage across the country. The initiative aims to achieve its primary objective of contributing positively to environmental conservation while preserving the nation’s natural beauty. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) Mr. G.M.R.D. Aponsu, Additional Secretary to the President Engineer Mr. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara representing the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Retired Senior DIG Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, DIG in charge of the Community Policing and Environmental Protection Directorate Mr. R.A.R.N. Rajapaksa, Director of the Community Policing Division Mr. SSP D.K. Priyantha, Director of the Environmental Protection Division SSP Mr. D.K. Manoj Perera, along with numerous other senior police officers and government officials.

The annual Police Flower Parade, organized by the Sri Lanka Police in conjunction with the Navam Maha Perahera of the Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo, was held on 31.01.2026 and 01.02.2026. As part of this event, a ceremonial procession paraded through the streets from the Gangaramaya Temple to the Seema Malakaya on the evening of 30.01.2026. The parade was organized by the Police Buddhist and Religious Affairs Association under the close guidance and supervision of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Priyantha Weerasuriya. Over 200 police officers took part in the procession, carrying Sesath, Muthukudda and Buddhist Flags, while participating as Hevisi drummers and traditional dance troupes, adding cultural splendor to the event. Officers representing the Police Cultural Division, the Police Special Task Force, and the Police Headquarters actively participated in the procession. The event was conducted in a dignified and magnificent manner with the assistance and security provided by the surrounding police stations.

A cash award presentation ceremony was held on the morning of 30 January 2026 at the main auditorium of the Police Crime Records Division in Colombo, under the patronage of Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, to honor the exceptional professional competence demonstrated by officers attached to the Fingerprint Bureau, Crime Analysis Unit, and Forensic Photography Unit of the Division. During the ceremony, a sum of Rs. 2,953,000 was symbolically distributed among 20 officers, while the total amount of prize money approved for this phase stands at Rs. 10,483,550, to be awarded to 335 officers in recognition of their meritorious service. It was noteworthy that a Police Inspector received a cash incentive for successfully resolving 45 serious crimes through fingerprint analysis. In addition, Police Constable 104595 Dulara Dilshan of the Crime Records Division was specially commended by the IGP for his courageous conduct in climbing to an upper floor during the fire that erupted in Kiribathgoda town on 21 January 2026, thereby demonstrating exceptional bravery in the line of duty. Furthermore, certificates were awarded to 21 officers who successfully completed the Primary Level in Fingerprinting, as well as to 11 officers who passed the Advanced Level in Fingerprinting. The event was attended by several senior police officials, including Director General of the Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division, Senior DIG Attorney-at-Law Mr. Asanga Karawita; Senior DIG in charge of Crime and Traffic, Mr. Ranmal Kodituwakku; Director of the Crime Records Division, SSP Mr. Ruwan Kumara; DIG of Human Resources Management and International Relations, Mr. Sisara Kumara; and DIG in charge of the Colombo Division, Mr. Nishantha de Zoysa, among others.

The assistance of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) is vital for ongoing and future police investigations, particularly those related to money laundering and terrorist financing. Accordingly, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally signed between the Sri Lanka Police and the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka at Police Headquarters on the evening of 29.01.2026, affirming mutual cooperation and information sharing between the two institutions. This agreement will facilitate the expeditious collection of relevant information by the Police, without the need for prior judicial intervention, to ascertain details of insurance policies held by suspects or institutions under investigation. The signing ceremony was attended by the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, the Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Dr. Ajith Ravindra de Mel, along with senior officials and staff members of both institutions.

Officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau, with the assistance of personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy, intercepted and seized two fishing vessels transporting a large quantity of narcotics off the southern coast on 23.01.2026. The vessels, along with 11 suspects, were brought to the Dikowita Harbour on the morning of 25.01.2026. The arrested suspects are residents of the Ambalantota, Koswatta, and Beruwala areas and are aged between 24 and 50 years. A total of 270 packages containing 184 kg and 528 grams of heroin and 112 kg and 268 g of crystal methamphetamine (ice) were recovered and taken into police custody from the two vessels. The 11 suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Aluthgama Magistrate’s Court No. 01 on 25.01.2026, where police are expected to seek seven-day detention orders for further investigations.

Following direct discussions held by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) with the Government of India, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, and Indian security authorities coordinated through the Minister of Public Security and the Secretary to the Ministry, an organized criminal who was the subject of an international Red Notice and had been residing abroad was repatriated to Sri Lanka from India by air. The suspect was taken into custody this evening (24.01.2026) at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, by a team of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and was subsequently handed over to the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Keselwatte Police for further investigations.The suspect is a 34-year-old resident of Keselwatte. Legal proceedings have been instituted against the suspect in the Courts in connection with the following offences: • Committing murder using sharp weapons within the Keselwatte Police Division in 2015.• Aiding and abetting a shooting and murder in the Kotahena Police Division in 2018.• Assaulting an individual with a sharp weapon in the Mattakkuliya Police Division in 2021.• Possession of a live Grenade in the Kotahena Police Division in 2021.• Robbery and possession of narcotic drugs in the Keselwatte, Wellawatte, and Bloemendhal Police Divisions. Further investigations are being carried out under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Colombo Range.

Following a dispute that arose in the Ella area in December 2025 between a registered PickMe taxi driver and several three-wheeler taxi operators, conventional three-wheeler drivers initiated protest actions against taxi drivers affiliated with ride-hailing services such as PickMe and Uber in multiple locations across the country. As these incidents escalated into confrontations and reports emerged of disturbances to public order, Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, convened discussions at Police Headquarters with the leadership of the Three-Wheeler Owners’ Associations representing both parties, along with representatives of PickMe and Uber. During the discussions, the IGP emphasized that the foremost responsibility of the Sri Lanka Police is the preservation of public peace and order. He further stated that whenever complaints relating to mob violence, physical assaults, intimidation, or threats are reported to police stations, legal action will be taken in accordance with the country’s criminal law, irrespective of organizational affiliations or trade-related disputes.

Since 2020, the Police Buddhist and Religious Affairs Association has been providing financial vouchers to purchase school shoes for the children of police officers and civilian employees of the Sri Lanka Police who are entering Grade One. Marking the commencement of the 2026 school year, the inaugural ceremony for the symbolic presentation of cash vouchers to ten selected children was held on the morning of 19 January 2026 at the main conference hall of Police Headquarters. The event was held under the patronage of the Chairman of the Police Buddhist and Religious Affairs Association, Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmarathne, Vice Chairman of the Association, Senior DIG Mr. Rajitha Sri Daminda, along with several senior police officers and civilian officials of the Sri Lanka Police, were also present at the ceremony. All eligible police officers and civilian staff serving across the island will receive these vouchers through their respective police divisions in the near future.

Sri Lanka Police extends its sincere and profound appreciation to the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its relevant authorities for their invaluable cooperation in the successful deportation of three (03) wanted suspects to Sri Lanka on 15 January 2026. This achievement was realized through close coordination and effective collaboration between Sri Lanka Police and the UAE authorities. This successful operation reflects the strong and longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the UAE and underscores the shared commitment of both nations to upholding the rule of law and enhancing regional and international security. Sri Lanka Police also gratefully acknowledges the continued support extended by the UAE Government and authorities in previous years. In 2024 and 2025, the UAE facilitated the deportation of eleven (11) wanted suspects to Sri Lanka, further demonstrating its steadfast commitment and cooperation in addressing transnational crime. Sri Lanka Police highly commends the professionalism, efficiency, and proactive assistance demonstrated by the UAE Government and its authorities throughout these operations. Sri Lanka Police remains deeply thankful to the UAE Government and looks forward to further strengthening this close and trusted collaboration with the United Arab Emirates in the collective effort to combat transnational crime and ensure justice and public safety.