Sri Lanka’s Acting IGP orders formation of Public Safety Committees in every Grama Niladhari division, mandating youth leadership and the inclusion of “Clean Sri Lanka” members to enhance grassroots community policing.
A sweeping new directive by the Acting Inspector General of Police has mandated the creation of Public Safety Committees across all 14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions in Sri Lanka, with a clear focus on boosting public engagement in community safety initiatives.
According to the newly issued circular, every Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of police stations islandwide is instructed to establish these committees with the active participation of local residents. The model will be based on the objectives of the ongoing “Clean Sri Lanka” movement, a national-level initiative focused on community responsibility and public well-being.
Each Public Safety Committee must include two appointed members from the “Clean Sri Lanka” Grama Sabha, integrating the organization’s ethos directly into the fabric of public safety operations. This move signals a strong effort to align community policing with existing civic engagement programs.
In a bid to promote youth involvement and leadership, the circular also instructs coordination with the Youth Services Officer from the relevant Divisional Secretariat to appoint two key positions, Vice Chairman and Deputy Secretary—to individuals between the ages of 18 and 45 who reside in the respective division.
To ensure broad-based community representation, each committee must consist of at least 25 members. Of this number, at least fifty percent must come from the youth demographic aged 18 to 45, highlighting the government’s emphasis on empowering younger generations in civic duties.
The circular outlines eligible categories for committee membership, including:
- Members of recognized youth and sports clubs in the area
- Representatives of environmental groups, death aid societies, women’s associations, and taxi driver associations
- Retired officers of the police and Tri-Forces
- Currently serving or retired public servants
Authorities believe this structure will enhance community-based policing, improve public trust in law enforcement, and strengthen grassroots-level accountability for public safety.
