Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has identified combating organised crime, curbing the drug menace and maintaining traffic discipline as the three main challenges currently facing the Sri Lanka Police.
He made the remarks while speaking at the opening of the new official residence for the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Buttala Police Station in the Monaragala Police Division.
The IGP said the Police Department is also facing a shortage of around 38,000 to 40,000 personnel. He noted that between 2,000 and 2,500 officers retire annually, while around 250 personnel die or become disabled due to accidents and other causes.
He said approval had been granted to recruit 10,000 new personnel to address the shortage, with around 1,500 already recruited and another 950 expected to join shortly.
Emphasising the importance of discipline within the police service, Weerasooriya said strict action would be taken against officers who fail to maintain the required standards of conduct.
He also said steps had been taken to address long-standing delays in promotions. Promotions for more than 4,000 personnel up to 2019 have already been cleared, followed by nearly 2,000 promotions covering the period up to 2025.
According to the IGP, skills interviews and competitive examinations are currently being conducted, with existing promotion-related grievances expected to be resolved this year. A system will then be introduced to ensure timely annual promotions from next year.
He further said efforts were underway to strengthen the professional capabilities of police officers, with nearly 1,000 officers having been sent overseas for training.
Opportunities for overseas training, including scholarships offered by India, will be provided based on English-language proficiency rather than rank, he added.
Reflecting on his own career progression from the lowest rank in the Police Department to the position of IGP, Weerasooriya urged officers to regularly assess their performance and remain committed to serving the public.
He stressed that the effectiveness of the Police ultimately depends on public trust and its ability to provide an efficient service to the community, noting that maintaining public confidence is essential for effective law enforcement.
