Sri Lanka Police operating with 32,000 officer shortfall: IGP

30 January 2026 06:04 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 12 Bookmark

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Colombo, Jan. 30 (Daily Mirror) - Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya has highlighted a severe shortage of manpower within the Sri Lanka Police, revealing that the force is currently operating with an approximately 32,000-officer shortfall.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Police Criminal Records Division (CRD), the IGP detailed the staffing challenges facing the department. He said that in addition to the existing shortage, a significant number of officers are due to retire within the next two years.

“Currently, police officers are performing their duties with a shortage of nearly 32,000 personnel. Furthermore, officers are retiring in large numbers. Approximately 2,500 are set to retire this year, followed by another 2,700 next year. This is a process we cannot prevent,” IGP Weerasuriya said.

However, he assured that the government has taken steps to address the crisis, granting approval for the recruitment of 10,000 new personnel this year to partially fill the vacancies created by these departures.

During the event, which was organised to award financial incentives to fingerprint experts, crime analysts and forensic photographers for their role in solving crimes, the IGP also addressed the long-standing issue of police salaries.

He acknowledged that current salaries are insufficient given the dedication and sacrifices made by officers. “We know that the salaries of our officers are not adequate for the sacrifices they make. A Cabinet sub-committee has been appointed regarding this matter, and we have already submitted our relevant proposals,” he said.

The IGP expressed hope that the new proposals would lead to a salary structure that allows officers to work with dignity. “We hope for a future where a good officer can earn a salary that allows them to live without seeking other benefits or financial inducements,” he added.

Comments - 12

Aruni Friday, 30 January 2026 06:32 PM

All of a sudden, 32,000 personnel are needed? We know this government needs to equip the Dobi gang more strongly than ever, in anticipation of public unrest over how ‘beautifully’ they are running the country.

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Disgrunted motorist Friday, 30 January 2026 07:03 PM

See multiple policemen around traffic lights, increasing the traffic. They have no knowledge of ensuring the traffic flow. Can someone hand over traffic management to Universities, who did a spendid job, and update when required, until these policemen took control, to release the 32,000 policemen

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james Friday, 30 January 2026 08:29 PM

Police in badly in new of new vehicles too and they need to get rid of tuk tuks. AKD auctioned off government vehicles to friends while they could have been transferred to the police

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Mahendra Fernando Friday, 30 January 2026 08:42 PM

But are they operating under the law?

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Sohan Friday, 30 January 2026 11:15 PM

This guy is insane. Assume 32k recruited. Look at the burden on people mate. You should look into automate most work using technology. Also ask parliament to update and modernize laws so less work for officers.Then you do not this much. For example use cctv and sensor to guide traffic. Then use cctv for automatic fines that will directly goto owners address and owner can pay directly online. Also make more and more spot fines instead of taking everymatter to courts as that is where the unnecessary delay happens. Say someone uses loud music after 10. Fine will be streightaway imposed by a system based on video evidence. Ask parliement to make these changes mate.

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Ram P Saturday, 31 January 2026 03:37 AM

After 50 in age Police officers must every year apply to be in service unlike the public service where it is automatic until 55. Police too must fall in line with the Public service. If short of officers retired officers must be engaged on contract basis. This is needed as the investigation pending is voluminous and must be completed fast

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senaka Saturday, 31 January 2026 06:08 AM

change the uniform give better incentives and change training methods assign more task units all controled and give kpis and issue solved, people will join.. need better planning for our police force

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Tom Jones Saturday, 31 January 2026 06:43 AM

When I joined the Police Dept as a Sub Inpectorin 1967, there were about 9000 police Officers of all ranks.When I retired in the year 2007 there were about 22000 officers of all ranks.. we need at least 40,000 Policeman to run the dept satisfactorily in order to provide a good service to the Public

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R Navaratnam Saturday, 31 January 2026 08:50 PM

IGP: I do not see any good words in the comments published by Daily mirror. Don't you think there is a problem with you and team. For me you are weak; so is your team. Your team also lacks rationality and fairness. Come on IGP and your team; earn your salary by serving the communities.

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Tavisha Udupihille Saturday, 31 January 2026 09:51 PM

We have one of the highest police to population ratios in the world. We don't need any more and we can't afford any more. We need to cut down on the number that we have

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GAMARALA Sunday, 01 February 2026 03:36 PM

it is better to have few good officers than corrupt ones like in the SLPP times

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WIJEDASA Sunday, 01 February 2026 03:41 PM

cut off the hand if they take bribes, during SLPP time they are trained to take bribes, all the SLPP ministers including the president took bribes

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