Thirty-six officers from the Maldives Police Service have begun an intensive eight week Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) training programme in Sri Lanka, marking the resumption of this specialized initiative after a 13-year hiatus.
Conducted by the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force (STF) from November 2 to December 31, 2026, the programme is designed to elevate the tactical competencies, operational capabilities and law enforcement expertise of the participating Maldivian personnel.
The cooperative security initiative was officially highlighted during a departure ceremony on October 29, 2026, attended by high ranking dignitaries including Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassen, Maldives Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohamed and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Farhad Fikry.
High Commissioner Hassen commended the STF as one of the country’s premier law enforcement units and expressed gratitude to Sri Lankan authorities specifically Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya and Acting STF Commandant and Deputy Inspector General of Police Roy Sumanawardena for instrumental efforts in reviving the bilateral training programme. This milestone underscores the enduring partnership and mutual commitment to security capacity-building between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. (Newswire)
