Vidane Arachchi was an influential post (ranked above an Vidane but below a Muhandiram ) in the native headmen system in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during the colonial era. Appointed by the Government Agent , the holder had much control over the people of the area and wielded quasi-judicial powers since he was responsible to keep the peace, carry out revenue collection, and assist in judicial functions.
22-649: The Reserve Police was a part-time volunteer section of the Sri Lanka Police that existed from 1974 to 2006. It was head by the Commandant, Reserve Police who was appointed by the Inspector General of Police . The Police Ordinance No 16 of 1865 which established a statutory police force in the island of Ceylon, provided provisions for the Inspector General of Police or a Superintendent of Police to appoint additional police officers as special constables to keep
44-484: A constant state of mobilization due to man power needs of the police and served as a supplement to the regular police by means of recruitment of a non-permanent basis as well as on reduced recruitment inhibitors such as age and qualifications compared to the regular police force. Over the years the reserve police officers claimed that there was a disparity between them and their regular police counterparts with similar service in terms of rank and pay. This led to disbandment of
66-407: A tax to be paid by the public. It consisted of one Superintendent, one Chief Constable, five Constables, ten Sergeants and 150 Peons. They were responsible for maintaining law and order in the capital city of Colombo. 1844 : As the police force was restricted to coastal areas only, a second police force was created to cater to the country's interior. 1858 : The police force in the coastal area and
88-469: A total strength of 2306. 1915 : For the first time two officers were appointed as Deputy Inspectors General of Police. 1916 : 0.22-caliber rifles were issued in place of shotguns. 1920 : For the first time, police officers were deployed for the purpose of controlling traffic. 1923 : A book containing comprehensive details regarding all aspects of the police, the Departmental Order Book ,
110-511: The Field Force Headquarters was formed. Uniforms and housing were made free for police officers. The payment of a Good Conduct Allowance was initiated. 1908 : Fingerprinting and photographing of criminals were initiated, along with the direct recruitment to the rank of Assistant Superintendents of Police. 1913 : Herbert Layard Dowbiggin was appointed as the 8th Inspector General of Police. 119 police stations were in operation with
132-661: The Indian province of Rathnageri, was appointed as Chief Superintendent of Police in Ceylon on 3 September 1866. This date is considered as the beginning of the Sri Lanka Police Service. 1867 : The Chief of Police was designated as the Inspector General of Police . William Robert Campbell became the first Inspector General of Police. The Police Headquarters was founded at Maradana, in the City of Colombo. 1870 : Muslim rioters attacked
154-606: The Police Headquarters. The police were successful in repulsing the attack, but the building was damaged. This year, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was formed. 1879 : The strength of the police force had tripled from 585 when IGP Campbell was appointed, to a force of 1528. The first police firing range, training college and the publishing of the annual administration report emerged during this year. 1892 : The Depot Police presently known as
176-474: The Police Narcotics Bureau was started. The Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau was also established. 1974 : The uniforms for constables and sergeants were changed. 1976 : The rank of Woman Police Sub Inspector was introduced. Two women police officers were promoted to the rank of Sub Inspector. 1978 : The Police Higher Training Institute was established. 1979 : The Children & Women Bureau
198-578: The Police is currently Senior DIG Priyantha Weerasooriya, who was appointed on September 27, 2024 During the Sri Lankan civil war , the police service became an integral part of maintaining of the nation's security, primarily focusing on internal security. Many police officers have been killed in the line of duty mainly due to terrorist attacks. Specially trained commando / counter-terrorist units named Special Task Force are deployed in joint operations with
220-551: The armed forces for counter-terrorism operations and VVIP protection. The police command structure in Northern and Eastern provinces is closely integrated with the other security organisations under the authority of the Joint Operations Command. The Police service can be reached across Sri Lanka on the 119 emergency number . Timeline of significant events: 1797 : The office of Fiscal was created. Fredric Barron Mylius
242-413: The country. 1954 : Police stations were graded into five classifications, Grades "E" to "A". The grading of police stations was considered depending on the workload, population, locality, crimes, important institutions, etc., in the area. 1963 : Divisions in the police were made as North, Central, South, Administration, and Criminal Investigation Department. D. B. I. P. S. Siriwardane, a civil servant,
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#1733085499085264-558: The creation of the post of Commandant, who would command the police reserve assisted by a Deputy Commandant. The Commandant may mobilize any reserve police officer on the recommendations of the Inspector General of Police and on mobilization the reserve police officer would have the same powers as a regular police officer of the same rank. With the start of the Sri Lankan Civil War in the 1980s reserve police officers remained in
286-415: The following year, the railway police force was discontinued as a necessity for it did not arise. 1952 : Women were enrolled to the police force for the first time. VHF radios were introduced for communication. It was decided that in honour of police officers killed in the line of duty, state funerals with full police honours would be held. In addition the police flag would be flown at half mast throughout
308-543: The peace throughout Sri Lanka. The police force consists of 43 Territorial Divisions, 67 Functional Divisions, 432 Police Stations with more than 84,000 people. The professional head of the police is the Inspector General of Police who reports to the Minister of Law and Order as well as the National Police Commission. The last Inspector General of Police was Deshabandu Tennakoon . The Acing Inspector General of
330-538: The peace, which was practiced during emergencies such as the 1915 riots . Following the 1971 JVP Insurrection , the Reserve Police was established in 1974, following the enactment of the Police (Amendment) Law, No. 3 of 1974 which amended the Police Ordinance No 16 of 1865 to include the appointment of part-time volunteers as reserve police officers subjected to service in any part of the island. It included
352-466: The police force in the hill country were unified and amalgamated. 1864 : The first death of a police officer whilst on duty occurred when he attempted to apprehend a brigand by the name of " Saradiel ", who was subsequently compared to Robin Hood . 1865 : The Police Ordinance was enacted to stipulate the powers and responsibilities of policemen. 1866 : William Robert Campbell, then the chief of police in
374-566: The reserve police in 2006 and its personal were transferred to the regular police. Sri Lanka Police Sri Lanka Police ( Sinhala : ශ්රී ලංකා පොලීසිය , romanized: Śrī Laṁkā Polīsiya ; Tamil : இலங்கை காவல் , romanized: Ilaṅkai Kāval ) is the civilian national police force of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka . The police force is responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping
396-403: Was appointed as Fiscal of Colombo and entrusted with responsibility of policing Colombo. 1806 : The regulation No. 6 of 1806 appointed a Vidane Arachchi to each town or village, for prevention and detection of crime in rural areas. 1832 : A committee appointed by the governor was instructed to form a police force. It was decided by this committee that the new police force was to be funded by
418-541: Was established. 1983 : The Police Special Task Force was established. 1985 : A new promotion scheme was introduced from the rank of Police Constable up to the rank of Inspector of Police. 1988 : A Woman Police Inspector was promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police. 1989 : Women were recruited and enlisted as Sub Inspectors. 1991 : The Sri Lanka Police celebrated 125 years of policing in Sri Lanka. 1993 : The Police Information Technology Division
440-463: Was established. 1998 : The Marine Division was established. 1999 : The Ombudsman Division was established. 2000 : The Police Examination Division was established. Vidane Arachchi Appointments were non-transferable and usually hereditary, made to locals, usually from wealthy influential families loyal to the British Crown. This job-, occupation-, or vocation-related article
462-589: Was formulated. 1926 : The Sport Division was established. 1930 : A handbook of traffic rules and regulations was issued for traffic duties. 1932 : The Police Headquarters was moved from Maradana to its present location in Colombo Fort . 1938 : Police telephone boxes were deployed throughout the city of Colombo. 1942 : Temporary forces were employed, known as Temporary Police Constables . 1945 : Police units were deployed at all hospitals. Additional units were also deployed for railway security. However, in
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#1733085499085484-576: Was the first civilian to be appointed as the Deputy Inspector of Police in charge of Administration. 1966 : The Police Public Relations Division was established on 1 October 1966, at Police Headquarters, Colombo. 1969 : The Tourist Police and the Illicit Immigration sector were established in March 1969. 1972 : The Crime Detective Bureau was started on 1 August 1972. 1973 : On 15 August 1973
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