The National Police Commission has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification amending specific provisions relating to the delegation of powers under Article 155J of the Constitution.
According to the Gazette, the Commission has been directed to amend the provisions listed under items 4 and 8 of the Schedule to the previous Extraordinary Gazette No. 2341/51 dated 20 July 2023 and to delete the provisions listed under item 5.
All other provisions of the said Gazette remain unchanged.
The revised delegation of powers is scheduled to come into effect from 1 June 2025.
Under the updated delegation framework, the DIGs have been vested with the following powers.
DIGs are empowered to transfer, suspend and discipline (other than termination of service, removal from service, or cancellation of recruitment) police officers of the rank of Sergeant Major and below, as well as Police Security Assistants, within their respective administrative areas, in accordance with the procedures approved by the National Police Commission.
Assistant Superintendents of Police are empowered to issue punishments and suspend Police Inspectors and officers below that rank (except officers in charge of police stations and functional areas), as well as Police Security Assistants, within their administrative areas.
Meanwhile, the National Police Commission has also issued a separate Gazette introducing a formal appeals procedure for police officers.
In pursuance of the powers vested in the Commission under Article 155K of the Constitution, the National Police Commission (Appeals Procedure) Rules – 2025 are hereby enacted.
Under these new rules, any police officer who is dissatisfied with a decision taken by a committee under Sections 155H or 155J or by the Inspector General of Police or any authorized officer, in respect of promotion, transfer, disciplinary action, or dismissal, may file a written appeal with the National Police Commission.
Both Gazette notifications have been issued by the Chairman of the National Police Commission, E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake.
