41st War Heroes’ Day of Police Special Task Force

The 41st War Heroes’ Day of the Police Special Task Force, observed in remembrance of the war heroes of the Police Special Task Force fallen in the line of duty serving the country, was held on 01.09.2025 at the Katukurunda Special Task Force Training School, Kalutara, under the leadership of the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police D. W. R. B. Seneviratne, with the participation of the Inspector General of Police (Attorney-at-law) Priyantha Weerasooriya.

464 war heroes and 06 civilian employees of the Police Special Task Force sacrificed their lives in defence of the sovereignty of the motherland during the war situation that prevailed for nearly thirty years in the Northern and Eastern regions. 774 war heroes were also injured and rendered permanently disabled.

On 1st of September, 1984, the first four members of the Special Task Force breathed their last, having been hit by a landmine planted targeting a truck carrying officers of the Police Special Task Force, by LTTE terrorists in the Tikkam area between Jaffna and Point Pedro. Those demised officers are Sergeants of Police Special Task Force, R. Chandrapala, P. A. Ekanayaka, L. D. Nanayakkara, and Police Sergeant Driver H. D. Sumanasekara. Eleven other officers who were in the truck were also injured by the incident.

Based on that incident, War Heroes’ Day of the Police Special Task Force is commemorated on the first day of September each year. Senior Officers including the Commandant of the Police Special Task Force, Deputy Inspector General of Police D. G. Samantha de Silva, took measures to observe this ceremony this year as well, accorded with honour, with the participation of the family members of the war heroes. 

Senior police officers, including the Inspector General of Police, and Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Training and Higher Training Range, Sajeewa Medawatta, participated in this event.