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5,000 new police recruits on the way to tackle 28,000-cop shortfall

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Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala told the Ministerial Consultative Committee this week that urgent steps were underway to recruit 5,000 new personnel to the Police, amidst a shortfall of around 28,000 officers.

Speaking at the Committee meeting held on July 25, chaired by Minister Wijepala and attended by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law, the Minister confirmed that Cabinet approval had already been obtained for the recruitment to be completed within the year.

He added that 10,000 personnel currently serving in the Civil Security Department would be attached to the police service as part of broader efforts to bolster law enforcement capacity. Recruitment of 1,000 female officers had also commenced, he said.

To enhance professionalism within the force, Minister Wijepala said new training programmes were being introduced to improve the efficiency of serving officers. He said a separate salary structure for the police was in the pipeline, with proposals expected to be submitted in the 2026 Budget.

The Committee also addressed allegations of misconduct at certain police stations and failures to conduct impartial investigations. Minister Wijepala directed the Acting Inspector General of Police to give these matters special attention and take corrective action.

The Acting IGP told the Committee that additional anti-corruption units would be established alongside the existing unit in Welikada. He reminded the public that complaints regarding unlawful activities can be lodged via the 1997 hotline.

Other topics discussed at the meeting included narcotics enforcement, illegal fishing practices, and the need to safeguard the identities of informants.Ministry Secretary D.W.R.B. Seneviratne and other senior officials were also in attendance.



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Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

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A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.

To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.

The donation was presented on Wednesday  (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police  C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Chief Inspector  Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.

[Presidents Media Division]

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft

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Sajith

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.

Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.

The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.

The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.

He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.

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