Special Events

A stock of illicit drugs, weighing approximately 170 kg , seized on 7 September 2021, was transported to the Wanathawilluwa incinerator this morning (2 January 2026) for destruction, in accordance with court orders. The consignment was detected following intelligence gathered by the Batticaloa Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau, with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy, and was subsequently handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for further investigations. Subsequent inquiries revealed that the net quantity of the seized narcotics consisted of 106 kilograms and 248 g of heroin and 90.5 g of opium. The Police Narcotics Bureau took custody of the drug haul from the Colombo Magistrate’s Court at approximately 6.00 a.m. today. The consignment was then transported to Wanathawilluwa under tight security, including the deployment of officers from the Police Special Task Force (STF). The destruction process was supervised by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Narcotics Bureau, Mr. Ashoka Dharmasena, along with officials from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, the Government Analyst’s Department, and court officials, who were present to oversee the receipt and handling of the narcotics.

Marking the dawn of the New Year 2026, the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, together with officers attached to the Police Headquarters, gathered on the morning of January 1st to formally commence official duties for the year. The occasion was marked by the administration of the Public Service Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to dignified and responsible public service. Addressing all police divisions island-wide via the online communication system, the IGP urged officers to dedicate themselves to delivering a more people friendly service and to play a proactive role in maintaining law, order, and social harmony across the country. The ceremony also included a moment of remembrance for fallen officers and war heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the motherland. Following this, a traditional New Year tea table was shared among the officers. The Inspector General further outlined the institutional initiatives planned to enhance the welfare of all police officers and extended his heartfelt New Year greetings to the entire service. Senior Deputy Inspector General in charge of Administration, Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, Senior Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Western Province, Mr. Sajeewa Medawatte, along with other senior officers, junior officers, and civil staff of the Sri Lanka Police, were present at the event and conveyed their New Year wishes to the IGP.

On the following morning, in connection with the all-night Pirith Chanting conducted at Police Headquarters on 30.12.2025, a group of senior police officers, led by the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, visited the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple to offer heel alms on behalf of twenty-five individuals. On this occasion, the Chief Incumbent of Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Kirinde Assaji Thero, together with the Maha Sangha, extended their blessings and best wishes for good health, prosperity, and success in the year 2025 to the Inspector General of Police, all serving officers of the Sri Lanka Police, as well as retired police personnel.

In observance of the forthcoming 2026 New Year, an overnight Pirith chanting ceremony was conducted at Police Headquarters on 30.12.2025, invoking blessings for the well-being of all Sri Lanka Police officers and the general public. A graceful procession, comprising two elephants and traditional dance troupes from the Police Cultural Division, commenced from the Lake House Roundabout.  The Chief Incumbent of Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Viharaya, Venerable Kirinde Assaji Thero, who presided over the Pirith ceremony, guided the Maha Sangha to the Pirith Mandapaya. All religious observances were held under the patronage of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, and were organized by the Sri Lanka Police Buddhist Association. The event was further honored by the participation of the Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Sunil Watagala, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, along with the presence and support of senior police officers, including the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (Administration), Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, and other government officials attached to Police Headquarters. In solemn remembrance of the police officers who lost their lives due to the devastation caused by the “Ditwa” cyclone, arrangements were also made to enable the families of the fallen officers to participate in this meritorious event.

A significant number of houses across the island have been damaged due to the severe weather conditions caused by Cyclone “Ditwa”. According to official data, approximately 751 houses belonging to police officers have been completely or partially damaged. In addition, 1,285 school-going children of police officers have been directly affected, having lost their books, stationery, and other educational materials. In response, a special programme initiated by the Police Seva Vanitha Unit, aimed at uplifting the mental well-being of the affected children and supporting police families who have suffered property damage, was inaugurated on 19 December 2025 at the Community Policing and Environmental Protection Directorate of the Police Headquarters. The event was held under the patronage of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Priyantha Weerasuriya. The programme is being implemented under the leadership of the Chairperson of the Police Seva Vanitha Unit, Advocate Nilmini Neeta Samaratunga, and coordinated by the Chairman of the Finance Commission of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Mr. Aruna Kumara Lekham. The initiative is fully sponsored by Prime Lands (Pvt) Ltd. Under this programme, books and stationery items valued at approximately Rs. 10 million are being distributed to every affected child of police officers through police stations across the island. The event was attended by Senior DIG (Administration) Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmaratne, Senior DIG of the Western Province Mr. Sajeewa Medawatte, Senior DIG of the Support Services Division Mr. Rajitha Sri Daminda, Chairman of Prime Lands (Pvt) Ltd Mr. Premalal Brahmanage, Co-Chairperson of Prime Lands Mrs. Sandamini Perera, DIG of Police Headquarters Mr. Nalaka Silva, DIG of the Colombo Division Mr. Nishantha Zoysa, DIG of the Environmental Division Mr. Roshan Rajapaksa, Chairperson of the Community Committee of the Police Seva Vanitha Unit Ms. Sandeepa Sewmini, and Director of the Police Welfare Division Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Pandula Weerasinghe. Several other senior police officers, distinguished guests, and members of the public were also present. A group of children of police officers symbolically received books and stationery at the ceremony.

The China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification in Sri Lanka has contributed a consignment of essential supplies and pharmaceuticals valued at Rs. 2 million to bolster the relief assistance programs undertaken by the Sri Lanka Police. The official handover ceremony took place on the morning of 2025.12.03 at the Special Task Force (STF) Headquarters, presided over by the Council’s Chairman, Mr. Zhang Xudong, with the participation of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. Senior police officials, representatives of the Chinese Council, and the Commandant of the Special Task Force, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. D.G. Samantha de Silva, were also in attendance at the event.

The Sri Lanka Police initiated a special humanitarian relief program today (02 December 2025), aimed at supporting individuals severely impacted by recent adverse weather conditions. Launching this initiative, distribution efforts were successfully conducted at the Police Headquarters to deliver essential aid to families displaced and affected by the inclement conditions in the Theldeniya region.This relief mission was implemented under the guidance and leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya, along with the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (Administration), Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmarathne. Relief Supplies Included:• Dry rations• Garments• Bottled drinking water The primary objective of the Sri Lanka Police through this initiative is to alleviate the hardships faced by communities displaced and distressed due to the severe weather situation.

IGP Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya met His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at St. Joseph’s Church, Grandpass on 01.12.2025, where they discussed the provision of relief to our fellow citizens displaced by the floods. The IGP then met with our fellow citizens at the security camp established at St. Joseph’s Church, which is housing the residents of the Grandpass Police Division who were affected by the floods, and also attended a medical clinic conducted for them by the doctors and nursing staff of the Police Hospital. Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province, Mr. Sajeewa Medawatte, Senior DIG Support Service Mr. Rajitha Sri Daminda, DIG in charge of the Colombo District, Mr. Nishantha de Zoysa and a group of others participated in the event.