IGP targets corruption, drug links in Police ranks

Colombo, Nov. 24 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka’s police service is undergoing one of its most extensive internal clean-ups in recent years, with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya intensifying a crackdown on corruption and narcotics-linked misconduct across the force, the Daily Mirror learns.

A senior officer said that several senior officers are expected to be transferred in the coming weeks as part of the widening purge, as public pressure mounts for greater accountability in law enforcement and as the government rolls out its nationwide anti-drug campaign.

This year has already seen multiple disciplinary actions involving high-ranking officials, with the National Police Commission (NPC) approving a series of transfers affecting both senior command posts and station-level leadership.

A major reshuffle took place in mid-November with the appointment of Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne as Senior DIG in charge of Administration, a key post second only to the IGP. His appointment followed the removal of Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake from the acting role; Pathinayake was subsequently assigned to the Central Province. The NPC removed him pending disciplinary proceedings. In parallel, Senior DIG S.C. Medawatte assumed duties in the Western Province, while Senior DIG Buddhika Siriwardhana was appointed to oversee the Northern Province.

Changes extended beyond the top ranks. In early October, 32 Officers-in-Charge (OICs) were transferred, followed by another 25 Inspectors, including several OICs, who were reassigned on November 21 under immediate orders. These movements form part of an ongoing administrative overhaul within the organization.

The latest controversy involves the OIC of the Norochcholai Police Station, who is under investigation after audio clips allegedly featuring conversations with drug traffickers surfaced online. The incident has prompted further scrutiny of station-level leadership and its vulnerability to criminal influence.

The Bribery Commission has also arrested dozens of police officers this year on various corruption-related charges, adding momentum to the broader institutional clean-up. In total, nearly 400 officers have been expelled from the service in 2024 for offences including drug trafficking, abuse of power and general misconduct.

Police Spokesman ASP L. U. Wootler said the IGP is directly supervising the purge and emphasized that disciplinary action is being enforced irrespective of rank. Every officer in the 80,000-strong police service is now under heightened scrutiny, he said, adding that the intention is to restore public confidence through firm and transparent measures.

Meanwhile, the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) is facing a separate investigation following reports that confidential operational information had been leaked to drug traffickers on multiple occasions. Acting on instructions from the IGP, several officers suspected of maintaining links with narcotic networks were removed. In recent days, five Sub-Inspectors were transferred out of the unit, while last month Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hemal Prashantha, who previously headed the PNB, was also moved amid an ongoing inquiry.