A new Special Crime Investigation Division will be established at the provincial level across Sri Lanka starting January, aiming to strengthen crime prevention and investigation capabilities. Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala announced the initiative, which will decentralize the investigation of serious crimes while introducing a more specialized approach to law enforcement.
The task force will comprise nine divisions, one for each province, modeled on the operational structure of the Colombo Crime Division. These units will focus on addressing serious crimes such as organized crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and resolving unsolved cases. They are also expected to target region-specific crimes, ensuring localized but comprehensive crime-fighting strategies.
The divisions will operate under the supervision of a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in each province, with overall oversight by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). According to Minister Wijepala, a cabinet paper detailing the structure and operational framework of the initiative will be presented next week.
In addition to tackling serious crimes, the task force will integrate community participation by introducing dedicated hotlines for anonymous tips in each province. This measure is intended to foster public cooperation and trust in law enforcement while providing citizens with a direct channel to report criminal activities.
The establishment of these divisions is part of a broader effort to modernize and decentralize Sri Lanka’s police force. The new units will take over the responsibility of investigating provincial-level serious crimes and conducting special investigations, which currently fall under the remit of the central police divisions.
The task force is expected to be operational by January 2025, marking a critical step in addressing Sri Lanka’s evolving crime landscape. By localizing investigations and ensuring each province has the resources to address its unique challenges, law enforcement aims to improve public safety and reduce crime rates nationwide.
