What happens when police officers forget they are the law; not the suspect’s party planners?
In a shocking breach of professional ethics, officers at the Colombo District Crime Division allegedly planned a full-blown birthday cake celebration for Ishara Sewwandi, a female suspect held under detention orders. But the party never happened. The DIG stepped in just in time to stop the cake-cutting, and within hours, the division’s OIC was transferred to headquarters. Now, the CID and a special police unit have launched a full investigation. Was this an innocent gesture gone wrong, or a sign of deeper rot inside the force? Read the official police statement inside
The OIC (Officer-in-Charge) of the Colombo District Crime Division (CCD) has been transferred to the Police Field Force Headquarters with immediate effect in connection with the incident where a cake was cut and a party was held in the division for the birthday of a suspect who is under detention orders.
The transfer has been made on the orders of the IGP (Inspector General of Police). The Police Media Division announces that a comprehensive investigation has been initiated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Police Special Investigation Unit into the incident.
The full statement is as follows:
Clarification regarding a news story circulating on social media about an incident recently reported at the Colombo District Crime Division.
A news story is currently circulating on social media that a cake-cutting party was held at the Colombo Crimes Division on the birthday of the suspect Ishara Sewwandi, who is under detention orders at the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) on 29.03.2026.
Since it is observed that untrue facts are also being spread on social media regarding this incident that is said to have taken place at the Colombo Crimes Division, steps have been taken to call for a report on the factual situation from the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Colombo District. Steps will be taken to clarify the following matters based on that report.
The DIG in charge of the Colombo District has reported that information had been received that there was a plan to cut a birthday cake for the above-mentioned suspect, and accordingly, the DIG in charge of the Colombo District has taken steps to prevent this act.
As a preliminary step, the OIC of the Colombo District Crime Division has been transferred to the Police Field Force Headquarters with immediate effect on the orders of the IGP.
While police officers should always adhere to their professional ethics, a special investigation has been initiated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Police Special Investigation Unit on the orders of the IGP regarding the irregular and illegal actions of the officers involved in this incident.
Police Media Division
