Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), has instructed the Department of Police to provide a proposed information technology (IT) program within a month. The directive came during a meeting held on April 26, where the Sri Lanka Police was summoned to examine the Auditor General’s report and current performance for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021.
The meeting, attended by senior police officials, also addressed other issues such as the lack of female police officers, expired tear gas, language skills of police officers, police promotions, and crime control.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that a recommendation made in 2016 to establish an IT system for the Sri Lanka Police has not been implemented. The Inspector General of Police stated that a new pilot project is being implemented in Hatton and Nuwara Eliya Police Stations, and steps will be taken to introduce IT systems in segments due to the difficulty of setting up a single system.
The Committee Chair emphasized the importance of integrating the motor transport department and other institutions to obtain relevant information immediately and instructed the Sri Lanka Police to submit a report on the current and proposed IT program within a month.
The meeting also revealed that there are 2419 female police constable vacancies, and efforts are being made to complete them by 2023. The Inspector General of Police stated that reforms have been initiated to provide opportunities for women in higher positions, including the post of Inspector General of Police.
The Committee also instructed the disposal of expired tear gas across all police stations in Sri Lanka and called for a report on measures taken to control public riots, including tear gas. The need to improve the language skills of police officers was also emphasized.
