(Lanka-e-News -05.Dec.2024, 11.10 PM) Following the historic election of a grassroots-level Executive President on September 21 and securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament on November 14, the New Dawn government has embarked on its pledged mission to uphold the rule of law. A major stride in this direction was taken today with the reform and restructuring of the Sri Lanka Police, a process initiated with the approval of the National Police Commission. As part of this move, 54 senior police positions were reshuffled, marking a new era for the force.
The reform includes the appointment of five Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), 35 Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), seven Superintendents of Police (SPs), and seven Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs).
For the first time in history, four top leadership positions within the police force have been filled by women, showcasing a significant step toward gender inclusivity in law enforcement.
Four Women in Top Positions
Among the notable appointments:
1. Imesha Muthumala, who was previously the Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been promoted as the Director of the CID.
2. Darshika Kumari, formerly the Deputy Director of the Cyber Crimes Unit at the CID, has been appointed as the Director of Police Field Force Headquarters.
3. Lanka Rajini Amaraseena, who was previously based at Police Headquarters, has been appointed as the Director of the Special Investigations Unit.
4. Madara Ariyasena, a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), has been named Director of the Police Medical Services Division.
These appointments mark a historic milestone in the Sri Lanka Police, breaking the traditional male-dominated leadership structure.
Imesha Muthumala has had a distinguished career in law enforcement and holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the University of Ruhuna and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the Open University of Sri Lanka. She joined the police force in 2007 as one of the first female Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) and rose through the ranks with notable accomplishments.
Muthumala’s appointment as CID Director places her at the helm of one of the most critical investigative arms of the police. If the Inspector General of Police (IGP) position becomes open to women in the future, her track record and qualifications position her as a strong contender for the top role. She is expected to retire in 2041, giving her ample time to climb the ranks further.
Darshika Kumari, who now serves as the Director of the Police Field Force Headquarters, holds the second-highest seniority within her rank. She joined the police in 1997 and has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership in various capacities.
• Senior DIG E.M.M.S. Dehideniya, who previously served as CID Director, has been transferred to oversee the Nugegoda division.
• Senior Superintendent of Police and attorney Buddhika Manatunga has been appointed as the Director of the Police Media Division and the official Police Media Spokesperson. An alumnus of Ananda College, Manatunga holds both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in science and law from the University of Peradeniya and the Open University of Sri Lanka, respectively.
The reshuffling process also involved assigning seven previously appointed Senior Superintendents, Superintendents, and Assistant Superintendents of Police to general duties without specific responsibilities, a move interpreted as part of the broader reform agenda.
This sweeping reorganization underscores the New Dawn government’s commitment to revitalizing the police force and ensuring a merit-based and inclusive structure.
(Special thanks to Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe for reporting.)
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by (2024-12-05 18:23:24)
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