• Body cam to be introduced as a pilot 

The Public Security Ministry is holding discussions with China regarding the introduction of a new uniform for the Police, with suggestions being made to include body cameras as part of the new uniform. According to the Ministry, a smaller number of body cameras will be introduced initially, with plans to purchase a larger number after assessing the success of the initiative.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said that discussions are being held with China regarding five uniforms. “There will be five kits, as Number One kit, Number Two and so on. These are still at the discussion stage. We are including the body camera as well in the final full uniform kit. We would launch this and see the progress first,” he said. He said that launching a large-scale project involving a massive investment in a large number of equipment at once would be a risk at this stage.

Following allegations by the People’s Struggle Alliance member Wasantha Mudalige that the Ministry had called for tenders for only 500 body cameras, which he claimed was not an adequate number, Wijepala said that the Ministry has certain budgetary restrictions. He said that the number of body cameras to be purchased would be decided based on the allocations available to the Ministry. “We have certain allocations. We cannot start this on a massive level without proper implementation and exploring its function,” he said. He further revealed that the Ministry plans to move towards a larger-scale implementation of around 85,000 body cams covering a much larger portion of the Police after initially introducing 500 cameras. According to him, the project would be implemented in an approach suitable for Sri Lanka while incorporating international knowledge and experience.

As part of efforts to modernise the Police service, improve operational efficiency and ensure greater accountability, the Government had planned to introduce body cameras and redesign Police uniforms under a broader initiative led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Ministry. The Government had initially held discussions with designers regarding the new uniform, while a tender was launched for 500 body cameras. According to statements from Police institutions, bids were submitted and 15 suppliers provided product samples, while the Tender Evaluation Committee is still reviewing them. No final award decision has been made yet.