Mounted Division

History

• The Police Mounted Unit was established at Mihindu Mawatha, Colombo in 1921.
• This Unit, having inaugurated with a few high-ranking officers during the British Rule, recruited several British sergeants and was established as a permanent Mounted Police
• During the period of Independence of Sri Lanka, the Police Department was reorganized and having established the Police Mounted Branch as a special branch of the Sri Lanka Police, three Sri Lankan Sub Inspectors were assigned to it in addition to the British officers serving at the time.
• By 1956, entirely Sri Lankans were appointed and having established the Police Mounted Branch as a special branch of the Sri Lanka Police, three Sri Lankan Sub Inspectors were assigned to it in addition to the British officers present at the time.
• By 1956, entirely Sri Lankans were appointed and the Police Mounted Branch was revamped by attaching a Sub Inspector, two Police Sergeants, and 22 Police Constables to the Police Mounted Branch, and by adding 23 horses imported from Australia.
• Afterwards, the Police Mounted Branch underwent development from time to time and was named a Division in 1985, and a Senior Superintendent of Police was assigned.
• Since then, the Police Mounted Division has been through development and has expanded by establishing the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya Mounted Units, which currently consist of 36 horses.

• Deploying mounted officers in presidential escort duties and procession during National Independence Day celebrations
• Conducting mounted officers’ ceremonial escorts for the heads of foreign states.
• Deploying mounted officers in escort duties for the ceremonies of awarding letters of credence by Ambassadors/High Commissioners
• Deploying mounted officers in escort duties for the Chief Guest of Police Day Celebrations and ensuring the participation of mounted officers in the ceremonial parade.
• Traffic management duties in the cities of Colombo, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya
• Deploying mounted officers in escort duties at the commencement of parliamentary sessions.
• Deploying mounted officers in crowd control duties at the annual Kandy Esala Perahera Festival.