August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Constitutional Council has given its formal approval to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s nomination of Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya, as the country’s 37th Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The decision was reached during a meeting held this afternoon, chaired by Speaker of Parliament Dr Jagath Wickramaratne. The appointment follows the removal of former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, whose tenure came to an end through a parliamentary resolution.
Weerasooriya’s rise to the top post is particularly noteworthy. He becomes the first individual in the 158-year history of the Sri Lanka Police to ascend from the entry-level rank of police constable to that of Inspector General—a feat that has been hailed as both unprecedented and inspirational within the ranks of the force.
A qualified lawyer and a graduate of the University of Colombo, Weerasooriya went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specialising in Human Resource Management. His career spans more than three and a half decades, during which he has held several key positions, including Director of Police Logistics and Deputy Inspector General overseeing Crime and Traffic operations. Prior to his elevation, he was serving as the Senior Deputy Inspector General for the North Central Province.
Throughout his service, Weerasooriya has received commendation letters from ten former IGPs, recognising his professionalism, leadership, and dedication. He has also served under the United Nations in peacekeeping missions in East Timor and Haiti, contributing to international policing and post-conflict stabilisation efforts.
