PRESIDENT PROPOSES A RISK ALLOWANCE TO ALL POLICE OFFICERS

Sunil Thenabadu

2 months ago

Risk allowance for police officers – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that steps will be taken to provide a risk allowance to all police officers, as well as to develop the necessary infrastructure and recruit human resources.The President stated this while attending the 160th Police Day commemoration ceremony held at the Field Force Headquarters in Thimbirigasyaya this afternoon (03).On this occasion, the President praised the arduous role played by the Sri Lanka Police on behalf of the general public, and for public order and security, whenever the public faced crises such as various conflicts and pandemics over the past 160 years.

The President also commended the execution of the country’s highest number of drug raids and arrests over the past two years, as well as the return of 74 armed criminals who were hiding abroad, brought back with the support of international nations.He also said that work would be done to draft the necessary legislation and provide maximum infrastructure facilities to transform this country from a crime-ridden state into a peaceful state.The President, who attended the 160th Police Day commemoration ceremony, was received in a dignified manner with a police guard of honour.The launch of the Sri Lanka Police Mobile App and the opening of the modernised www.police.lk website also took place on this occasion, aiming to streamline information sharing between the police and the public to make public services efficient and prompt.

The commemorative stamp and first-day cover issued for the 160th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Police were also presented to the President.The President also handed over promotion letters symbolizing the award of promotions under the long-service basis to 1,489 police officers below the rank of Chief Inspector of Police and 153 Special Task Force officers, effective from 1 January 2026.Presenting the compliments of the Sri Lanka Police to the President for his participation in the 160th Police Day commemoration, Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, also presented a commemorative souvenir.Speaking further on this occasion, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated:“Whatever criticisms or accusations the public may have, even today, people ask to provide a police station for their area.This shows that the public’s peace and security rest with you. I know there are senior officers who brought honour and trust to the Sri Lanka Police over the past 160 years. There are officers who provided leadership for that.However, it is also no secret that former officers who held office were the reason for coming under criticism.

The factors that led to the build-up of public mistrust regarding the Sri Lanka Police are unfolding before us today.Therefore, the responsibility of all officers representing the current Sri Lanka Police is to strongly protect and carry forward the honour and trust of your profession.You perform these investigative duties at the risk of your lives. By the time those investigations are completed, investigation reports are forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department, and the relevant judicial process is concluded, the investigating officers have often retired. Therefore, the law must be enforced and punishments delivered as swiftly as arrests are made. Similarly, doubts arise among the public as to what happens to the seized drug stocks and the individuals arrested.

They wait hoping that proper punishment will be delivered by the courts after proper filing of cases. However, there is a massive delay in that process.”