Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says the government, under the leadership of the President, has been able to take steps towards creating a professional police service and professional police officers.

The Minister made these remarks while attending the 85th Police Athletic Meet.

He further said plans are currently being prepared to introduce a new design for the police uniform in line with the qualitative development of the police service.

The Minister said steps would also be taken to recruit an additional 10,000 officers to the police service during the coming year.

He added that all promotions that had been delayed over the past five years would be granted within this year based on seniority, performance, efficiency tests and examination procedures.

According to Minister Wijepala, a system is also being developed to provide overseas training opportunities to all police officers, from junior ranks to senior ranks, without discrimination based on rank.

He further stated that Cabinet approval has been granted to provide a special risk allowance through the 2027 Budget in recognition of police officers' commitment to duty.

Plans are also underway to provide electric motorcycles and other infrastructure facilities to police officers, he added.

Speaking further, Minister Ananda Wijepala said:

“Promotions had been delayed for a period of five years. We have now taken all necessary steps to complete these promotions this year based on seniority, performance, efficiency tests or examinations. From then onwards, we will establish a systematic promotion scheme under which officers will receive promotions within the stipulated time periods each year.

A formal transfer system is also currently being developed. Through this system, arrangements will be made to facilitate transfers to areas closer to officers’ homes.

Over the past two years, nearly 1,000 officers have been provided with overseas training. We are further strengthening this programme and developing a system to provide overseas training opportunities to all officers, from junior to senior ranks, regardless of their position,” he added.