NCJ Number
75255
Date Published
1978
Length
25 pages
Annotation
The Sri Lanka Police Service is described in terms of its historical perspective, duties and functions rank structure, administration, discipline, recruitment and training, and support services.
Abstract
Sri Lanka, formerly called Ceylon in colonial days, has a national police system with 17,000 individuals in its ranks. The concept of policing has existed in Sri Lanka from the time of its recorded history about 2,600 years ago. Greater control of society has been emphasized since the 16th century, when Western influences were initially felt. Policing in the modern sense began after the British occupation of the maritime provinces in 1802 and the fall of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815. Today, the police service is geared to serve the community and is entrusted with the task of maintaining law and order. Duties, as specified in the police ordinances, are to prevent crimes, to preserve the peace, to apprehend the disorderly, and to obey and execute all orders and warrants. Over 50 laws and ordinances provide the legal basis for police actions. The main sphere of police enforcement activity is in the investigation of crimes. Service personnel are distributed over 31 divisions and 71 police districts. These units come under the administration of eight deputy inspectors general of police. The ranks are thus distributed over 301 police stations and a number of police posts. The service's three main divisions with regard to rank structure are the constabulary, the inspectorate, and the commissioned officers. Centralized administration is effected through headquarters in Colombo. The personnel division handles matters involving officer discipline, and the primary method of recruitment is by newspaper advertisement. All recruits undergo induction training which lasts for 6 months. Support services include both police kennels and the mounted police unit. An 11-entry bibliography and three tables are included.