• Public Security Min. notes large no. of complaints against many cops including SIU cases, FR petitions, HRCSL probes, performance issues 

There has been a longstanding decline in discipline within the Police force, and the Government is taking steps to address it, with 50 to 60 Police officers already suspended over various misconduct-related incidents, said the Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala.

In recent times, there have been several incidents involving Police misconduct – including assaults on suspects, deaths in Police custody, and illegal detentions.

Speaking on the issue to The Daily Morning, Wijepala said that investigations were being conducted into every incident that arises, and that necessary action was being taken without delay. “Around 50 to 60 Police officers have already been suspended due to various misconduct-related incidents. We, as the Government, have responded to such incidents more firmly than ever before," he added.

Noting that there is definitely a deterioration in discipline within the Police force, he said that they were doing their best to rectify the situation. "We find a large number of complaints against many Police officers including cases under investigation by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) inquiries, and concerns about their performance. With all these issues, we try our best to improve Police discipline,” Minister Wijepala elaborated.

Speaking further, he said that although there were issues within the Police force, the Government — particularly the Public Security Ministry — could not take swift decisions to address them in the same way that other Government institutions could. “In other institutions, a transfer or appointment can be made through a Cabinet paper alone. But, that is not the case with the Police. The work has to be carried out by those already within the system.”

The Department of Police is the main law enforcement agency in the country, responsible for maintaining public order, preventing and investigating crimes, and ensuring the safety and security of citizens. It operates under the said Ministry and has been branched into specialised units for areas like traffic, narcotics, cybercrime, and terrorism.