Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigations Department faces an unprecedented flood of complaints, forcing the government to create a new bureau to share the burden and ensure faster justice.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has reached breaking point after being inundated with nearly 60,000 complaints, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala announced. Speaking at the inauguration of the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau (CCIB), he emphasized that this move aims to strengthen law enforcement and improve the speed of investigations in the country.
According to the Minister, the CID is unable to cope with such a large volume of complaints. To ease this pressure, some cases will now be redirected to the newly established CCIB, which has been placed under the direct supervision of the Inspector General of Police. The CCIB has been granted full authority to conduct raids and investigations independently, signaling a major shift in Sri Lanka’s policing structure.
The Minister assured that the government is committed to ensuring efficiency and accountability in the justice system. He highlighted that the CCIB is designed to resolve complaints quickly, preventing the heavy backlog seen at the CID. Structural reforms within the police department are part of a broader strategy to restore public confidence in law enforcement.
When questioned about pending cases, Minister Wijepala clarified that the Inspector General of Police will decide whether unresolved complaints currently at the CID should be transferred to the CCIB. In addition, citizens now have the option to directly lodge complaints with the new bureau, offering an alternative channel for justice.
Adding to the strain on the police system is a shortage of 28,000 personnel. To address this, the government has approved the recruitment of 5,000 police officers this year and another 5,000 next year. Officials believe this will help manage the increasing demand for law enforcement and provide greater manpower for both the CID and CCIB.
This transition reflects the resilience of Sri Lankan citizens, who continue to step forward and file complaints despite overwhelming backlogs. The establishment of the CCIB shows the government’s recognition of this public demand for justice and its attempt to modernize the system to meet it.
