Sri Lanka police modernization and crime reform

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has initiated a legislative and structural agenda to combat crime and modernize the Sri Lanka Police. The administration intends to pursue constitutional amendments to address criminal activity and has announced a modernization program that includes recruiting 10,000 new personnel, introducing risk allowances for officers, and investing in new technology, vehicles, and infrastructure.

As part of these modernization efforts, the police service plans to introduce new uniforms by mid-2027 designed to accommodate equipment such as body cameras. Additionally, following a temporary suspension of the online application system for Police Clearance Certificates due to maintenance, the police announced that applicants may now obtain these certificates in person at local police stations.

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijesekara has further detailed these professionalization efforts, noting that the government intends to recruit 10,000 new officers within the coming year. To address internal personnel issues, the Minister stated that all promotions pending for the last five years will be granted within this year, determined by seniority, performance, and merit-based examinations.

Further planned enhancements include providing international training opportunities for officers of all ranks, approving a special risk allowance for 2025 through the national budget, and providing infrastructure improvements and electric motorcycles to the service.