by Our Correspondent in Colombo
Sri Lanka’s National Police Commission (NPC) has reported Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya to the Constitutional Council (CC) over alleged violations of the Constitution and accusations of “boorish” behaviour during a press conference held yesterday in Colombo. This development marks a significant escalation in tensions between the nation’s highest-ranking police official and the independent body responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability within Sri Lanka’s police force.
The controversy erupted after Acting IGP Weerasuriya publicly criticised the NPC, accusing it of overstepping its constitutional mandate and interfering in the internal affairs of the police force. Speaking at a media briefing at the Government Information Department today, Weerasuriya argued that the commission’s actions were undermining police autonomy and diminishing the authority of the IGP’s office.
Weerasuriya alleged that the role of the IGP has effectively been reduced to a symbolic position due to what he described as excessive interference from the NPC. “The Police Commission is not there to control the internal affairs of the police. Whether in the United States or other countries, such commissions are established to address public concerns and take action against official misconduct,” he said. He further claimed that the NPC’s intervention in operational matters traditionally managed by police leadership has contributed to a deterioration of discipline within the force.
He stressed that three fundamental powers must remain under the IGP’s control: appointments, disciplinary action, and transfers. “If these three are not met, the IGP becomes a nominal position,” he stated, highlighting the challenges faced by police leadership in maintaining discipline and enforcing internal regulations.
Weerasuriya cited disputes over the appointment of Officers-in-Charge (OICs) as an example of the ongoing conflict, revealing that the police had been compelled to seek clarification from the Attorney General’s Department on the extent of their authority regarding transfers and appointments. “We believe that the removal and disciplinary action against OICs should be entrusted to the IGP for the sake of justice and effective governance,” he added.
In response, the NPC lodged a formal complaint with the Constitutional Council, alleging that Weerasuriya had violated constitutional provisions and engaged in misconduct. While the full details of the allegations have not been publicly disclosed, sources within the NPC argue that his comments and actions undermine the commission’s constitutionally mandated role in ensuring police accountability.
The Role of the National Police Commission in Sri Lanka
The National Police Commission was established under the 17th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka in 2001, with the objective of depoliticising the police force and ensuring independent oversight. Its main functions include overseeing appointments, promotions, transfers, disciplinary control, and dismissals within the police service.
The commission was created in response to longstanding concerns about political interference in policing, which had raised questions about the impartiality and integrity of the law enforcement system. The NPC’s mandate is designed to promote transparency, protect human rights, and ensure that the police force operates independently of political influence.
Although initially abolished by the 18th Amendment, the NPC was later re-established under the 19th Amendment in 2015, reaffirming its role as a critical body for police accountability and good governance in Sri Lanka. The commission plays a pivotal role in maintaining the checks and balances necessary for a democratic society, ensuring that law enforcement remains impartial and accountable to the public.
