News

Senior female cops stuck in same post for years

Published

2 years ago

December 11, 2023

editor

A statement from the Parliament of Sri Lanka has revealed that there has been injustice to police officers in the promotion of the Sri Lanka Police Service.

This was revealed when the ‘Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka’ met in parliament recently, it added on Facebook.

MP Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle is the chairperson of this Select Committee.

It had been disclosed that there are 92 female chief inspectors who have completed twenty-six years of service and completed four years in the position of chief police inspector, but no specific system or vacancies have been identified regarding their promotion.

The statement added that the method of recruitment of these female officers, and the salary level is the same as the male officers and the training is done together in the same training school without any difference, the deployment after the training is done in the same way without any difference, while the the method of retirement is also the same.

However, aggrieved police officers pointed out that there is no problem related to promotions to male officers, and only female officers have issues related to vacant positions.

The Parliament of Sri Lanka said that during the committee session it was disclosed that a remedy for this issue not been prepared so far, and for that reason, female officers have to stay in the same position for a long time while male officers with less seniority are promoted.

Furthermore, to avoid this situation of concern, since more than 15% of the Sri Lanka Police are female officers, it was proposed to create vacancies for 15% female representation in all positions.

The Committee Chair recommended to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security that 15% of the total force of the Police Service is currently employed by female officers, so that 15% of the available vacancies should be reserved for female officers to solve this problem.

(News 1st)

News

Japan grants US$ 2.5 mn. to SL to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The Government of Japan has granted USD 2.5 million to Sri Lanka to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms under a 3-year project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-corruption Mechanism.

Japanese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Akio Isomata and UNDP resident representative in Sri Lanka – Ms. Azusa Kubota, in the presence of Justice Minister – Harshana Nanayakkara, launched ‘The Project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-Corruption Mechanism’

The three year initiative is supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by the UNDP Sri Lanka, working in close collaboration with the (CIABOC) and the Ministry of Justice.

The project aims to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in governance and business practices through effective and institutionalised preventive mechanisms in the public and investment promotion sectors, strengthen institutions to enhance corruption related investigative processes, improve coordination with stakeholders and ensure quality of prosecutions, empower citizens to effectively mobilise against corruption and enhance social accountability.

The project also seeks to engage and empower youth, children and journalists to actively contribute to the fight against corruption and promote a culture of integrity.

News

3 ex-DMT officials including ex-commissioner, remanded

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha and two other former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into vehicles that were illegally registered with the Department of Motor Traffic without receiving proper clearance from Sri Lanka Customs, CIABOC said in a statement.

According to CIABOC, former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe has been arrested for granting approval to issue a number plate for a jeep.

Additionally, a former Assistant Director of Information Technology at the department and a clerk have also been taken into custody for facilitating the illegal data entry and executing it.

The suspects were produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and were ordered to be remanded until July 08.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

7 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.