10,000 CSD Officers to Join Police; Another 10,000 Recruits Coming This Year

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala says the police service is undergoing a series of strategic changes, making it necessary to further improve the facilities available to officers. 

He said this includes not only enhancing physical infrastructure but also implementing a range of measures aimed at improving efficiency.

According to the Minister, the number of training programmes for police officers has already been increased, and both local and foreign promotion-related issues continue to exist. He noted that efforts are underway this year to provide promotions based on existing vacancies.

Wijepala said one of the main challenges facing the police service is a shortage of nearly 40,000 personnel. To address this, recruitment has already begun. He said steps are being taken to absorb 10,000 personnel from the Civil Security Department into the police service, while another 10,000 recruits will be added this year. 

Through these measures, the required human resources will be provided to the Police Department, along with better management of the current workforce.

He stressed that merely increasing numbers is not sufficient, and improving efficiency is essential. Creating a better police officer is the key objective, he said. 

The Minister added that special focus has been placed on crime control while improving public relations. With drugs spreading across the country like an epidemic, he said multiple measures have been taken to strengthen drug control operations, involving a large number of police officers.

Wijepala said the duties of the police service continue to expand day by day, making their responsibilities broader and more demanding.