By Vipula Wanigasekera –

Dr. Vipula Wanigasekera

Sri Lanka recently appointed a new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Priyantha Weerasooriya, following an unprecedented dismissal of his predecessor. Weerasooriya officially assumed duties as the 37th IGP on 13 August 2025, after being confirmed by the Constitutional Council and appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. His appointment is historic, as he is the first officer to rise from the rank of Police Constable to the highest position in the Sri Lanka Police.

The change in leadership was triggered by the ousting of former IGP who was removed from office by a parliamentary resolution. In early August 2025, 177 Members of Parliament voted in favour of his dismissal, with none opposing. Tennakoon’s removal was recommended after a Committee of Inquiry found him guilty of gross misconduct, including authorising an unlawful police operation that resulted in a civilian death (the Island, 2025; Associated Press, 2025). This was the first time in Sri Lanka’s history that a sitting IGP was removed by Parliament, underlining a critical moment of accountability.

Since his appointment, Weerasooriya has sought to signal reform through both words and actions. On Police Day, celebrated annually on 3 September to mark the founding of the force in 1866, he highlighted initiatives aimed at modernising policing. These included introducing mobile payment for traffic fines through the GO Pay system, implementing automated fingerprint and mugshot identification, installing facial recognition technology at the airport, and expanding emergency hotlines—such as 107 for Tamil speakers and 109 for women and children (Daily Mirror, 2025). In addition, he has worked to build stronger ties with other security institutions, meeting with the Defence Secretary to strengthen inter-agency collaboration (Financial Times, 2025).

While these reforms are commendable, public expectations extend beyond technological upgrades and symbolic gestures. Visible actions such as the arrest of alleged criminal figures generate headlines, but citizens expect measurable progress in reducing crime. This includes not only violent crimes, killings, and thefts but also areas often overlooked: rape, child abuse, domestic violence, reckless driving, and noise pollution. The effectiveness of Weerasooriya’s leadership will ultimately be judged by the statistical outcomes of his tenure rather than the number of media appearances.

The IGP is not a political figure. While ministers and deputies bear the responsibility of answering to the public, the IGP’s role is to lead strategically. That requires devoting time to analysis, studying best practices from other countries, deploying intelligence networks effectively, and identifying high-performing officers. Senior officers, too, must be empowered to carry out their duties within their jurisdictions instead of merely accompanying the IGP at public events—something that has often been observed, except in the case of his personal security detail. Besides, merely ‘creating awareness’ wouldn’t work in this part of the world unless the law is strictly implemented across the board.

Sri Lanka is at a juncture where the rule of law can be restored under a President elected with this mandate. The IGP’s leadership is pivotal to this process. However, the true measure of success will be whether Weerasooriya can present clear, data-driven evidence of progress at the end of his tenure—showing a decline in overall crime rates, improved police responsiveness, and enhanced public trust. If achieved, this would not only validate his appointment but also mark a turning point in Sri Lanka’s policing history.

What the country cannot afford is for top public servants to retire and later claim: “I wanted to do more, but the politicians or the system held me back.” This excuse, too often repeated by senior officials who enjoyed authority while in office, offers no comfort to the public. If an officer truly feels constrained by political interference, the honourable choice is to step aside and allow someone with the courage and commitment to act in the national interest. Sri Lanka needs leaders who deliver results—not endless public appearances or excuses after leaving office.

*Writer is former Diplomat, Head of Tourism Authority and currently an Academic, Author, Youtuber, Meditation and Reiki Healer