• Public, cops can send texts/videos/photos of crimes to 0718598888, but no calls 

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has introduced a new WhatsApp phone number – 0718598888 – for the public and Police officers to use to report any information related to crimes and other issues that they encounter, directly to him and his office. 

The public is however informed that while they may use this number and its facility to send text messages, videos, and photos directly to the IGP, making phone calls to the respective number is not permitted. 

Weerasooriya was appointed as the 37th IGP of Sri Lanka. The appointment was made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the President’s Media Division said. The letter of appointment has been handed over to IGP Weerasooriya by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. 

The Constitutional Council, on Tuesday (12), approved President Dissanayake’s recommendation to appoint Acting IGP Weerasooriya as the new IGP. The position of the IGP became vacant following the removal of former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon through a resolution in the Parliament. 

Weerasooriya is the first officer in the 158-year history of the Police service to rise from the rank of Police Constable to IGP. He is a Law graduate from the University of Colombo, and an attorney. Ten IGPs have issued commendation letters in recognition of Weerasooriya’s 36 years of outstanding service in the Police Department. He has participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions in East Timor and Haiti.