Senior Deputy Inspector General Priyantha Weerasooriya, a veteran of the Sri Lanka Police with a career spanning 36-years, was appointed Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) in September 2024, becoming the first officer in the 158-year history of the force to rise from the rank of Police Constable to its top position.
Early Career
Weerasooriya was born in Dodangoda in 1969 and joined the police force as a constable in 1988 at age 19. He served in the Police Special Task Force, traffic, and crime divisions during the late 1980s insurgency. In 1992, he was promoted to sub inspector and posted to stations in Maradana, Vavuniya, and Kompannaveediya.
While serving, he earned a law degree from the University of Colombo, qualified as an attorney, and in 1999 was promoted to assistant superintendent of police through the direct-entry examination. He also completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration and later a master’s degree in law.
Promotions and Assignments
• 1988: Joined as constable; served in STF and traffic/crime divisions.
• 1992: Promoted to sub inspector; postings in Colombo and conflict-affected Vavuniya.
• 1999: Promoted to assistant superintendent after qualifying as an attorney.
• 2007: Promoted to superintendent; appointed director of Police Legal and Logistics Division.
• 2007–2010: Served in United Nations peacekeeping missions in East Timor and Haiti.
• 2016: Promoted to deputy inspector general; led Police Logistics Division until 2020.
• 2020: Promoted to senior deputy inspector general; headed Strategic Management, Crime and Traffic Division.
• 2024: Senior DIG for North Central Province; appointed Acting IGP on Sept. 26, 2024, following the suspension of Deshabandu Tennakoon.
Weerasooriya has received commendations from 10 former IGPs for service performance.
Operational Focus
As Acting IGP, Weerasooriya has led operations against organized crime, reporting in February 2025 that police had identified 58 criminal gangs and resolved all 17 shooting cases reported that year. He strengthened cooperation with foreign law enforcement, resulting in the extradition of 19 suspects, and oversaw joint operations against drug trafficking.
In response to allegations of custodial torture, he suspended four officers pending indictment.
Reform Initiatives
Weerasooriya initiated internal reforms, including transferring officers based on misconduct reports, mandating drug testing for reinstatement after suspension, and publicly affirming the right of civilians to record police officers on duty. He has also raised concerns about officer health and advocated for salary adjustments.
Weerasooriya has also been involved in a dispute with the National Police Commission over transfer authority, which was referred to the Constitutional Council before a compromise was reached. He has said that restoring public confidence in the police requires internal accountability measures and depoliticization. (Newswire)
