The Ministry of Public Security is yet to take a decision regarding the matters related to appointing a Police officer to the post of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) after incumbent IGP Chandana D. Wickramaratne's scheduled retirement with effect from 25 March, The Daily Morning learned.

Wickramaratne, who was appointed as the Acting IGP following the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019, and confirmed in the position in November 2020, is to retire on 25 March.

In response to a query by The Daily Morning about the situation with regard to the appointment of a Police officer as the IGP, Public Security Ministry Secretary, Viyani Gunathilake said: "There is no decision about it as of now."

The Constitutional Council (CC) has also not received nominations of senior Police officers to be recommended for appointment as the IGP as of yesterday (22) evening. This was confirmed by the Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana's Media Secretary, Indunil Yapa Abeywardana.

Article 41(c) of the Constitution reads: "No person shall be appointed by the President to any of the Offices specified in the Schedule to that Article (which includes the IGP), unless such appointment has been approved by the CC upon a recommendation made to the CC by the President."

On 26 April 2019, then President and incumbent Opposition Parliamentarian Maithripala Sirisena ordered then IGP Pujith Jayasundara to resign over the Easter Sunday terror attacks of April, 2019. Jayasundara refused to resign and was sent on compulsory leave, after which Wickramaratne was appointed as the Acting IGP. He was confirmed as the IGP on 25 November 2020.