UK supports professional development of Sri Lankan Police Force

For the last three years the United Kingdom, through the Scottish Police College, has supported the development of new training programs for the Sri Lanka Police - both for new entrants to the Police College and more senior officers at the Police Academy for the professional development of the island’s police force.

Further extending the UK’s support for the programs, British Deputy High Commissioner, Laura Davies launched the ‘Professional Development Framework’ for the Sri Lanka Police on 21 March at the BMICH in Colombo under the patronage of Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake.

Inspector General of Police N.K. Illangakoon and Chairman of the Police Commission Prof. S.T. Siri Hettige were also present at the occasion.

Speaking at the event, Davies said the “Professional development should be at the heart of what all of us do every day - both for ourselves and for our organisations. Without it, we atrophy, wither and become irrelevant. With it, individuals and organisations grow, adapt and aspire.”

The Professional Development Framework will help the Sri Lankan Police provide and receive modern and dynamic training and the legislation makes it possible for the National Police Academy to award diplomas and certificates, Davies said, adding that it is essential to build the “Professionalism through Wisdom” that is the Academy’s motto and also to ensure Sri Lanka has the police force it wants and deserves for the 21st Century, serving communities across Sri Lanka.

“It is particularly symbolic to be launching this framework on Police Heroes Day,” she said.

Courses at the Police Academy cover topics such as Ethical Leadership and Organisational Management. This training will help build a more professional police force. The Scottish Police College are also training the police on crime scene investigation skills and interview techniques. The UK also funds The Asia Foundation to help the Sri Lanka police embed community policing approaches across the island.