News Today: Constitutional Council confirms Priyantha Weerasuriya appointed as Sri Lanka’s 37th IGP after detailed review.

The Constitutional Council of Sri Lanka has officially approved President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recommendation to appoint Priyantha Weerasuriya as the 37th Inspector General of Police (IGP). The decision was made during a meeting held yesterday afternoon in Parliament, chaired by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

Weerasuriya, who has been serving as Acting IGP since November 2023, will now formally take over the position following the endorsement. This comes after the post of IGP became vacant due to the removal of former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, whose dismissal was supported by a parliamentary motion.

The Constitutional Council had previously met on August 7th to consider the President’s nomination but was unable to reach a conclusion at that time. Ahead of yesterday’s meeting, the Council requested comprehensive reports from the National Police Commission, the Judiciary, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to assess Weerasuriya’s suitability for the role.

The appointment of Priyantha Weerasuriya marks a significant moment in the leadership of Sri Lanka’s law enforcement. His experience and service record as Acting IGP over the past months have been under close review, and his official appointment reflects the confidence placed in his leadership by both the President and the Constitutional Council.

Weerasuriya is expected to focus on strengthening public trust in the police service, addressing law and order challenges, and ensuring the efficient enforcement of justice across the country. His tenure will be closely watched as Sri Lanka navigates a period of heightened attention on policing standards and accountability.