The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to speak during the debate on the Budget Heads of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Defence.

¶ 02 Under the Ministry of Public Security, we have the Sri Lanka Police with 82,000 personnel, the Special Task Force with 7,000 personnel, the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Police Academy, and the National Secretariat for NGOs. By the October Gazette amendment, the Civil Security Department and the Department of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation have been brought under this Ministry.

¶ 03 We have contributed significantly to stabilizing the economy and restoring the rule of law. Over the past year, through measures taken by the Ministry and the Police, the rule of law has been established. Some are unhappy. Those involved in bribery, corruption, and fraud criticize our independent investigating officers. The public knows the condition the Police were dragged into. A former IGP himself said that 182 of 184 OICs were appointed through the local political organiser. We have freed the Police Department from politicization. Now, through the National Police Commission, all transfers, recruitments, and disciplinary matters are done. Those Commissions were appointed under the previous government; we have not interfered politically. Appointments are made based on performance and recommendations.

¶ 04 Therefore, I thank all from constables to the IGP for their performance this year.

¶ 05 On expenditure utilization: contrary to claims that funds were not spent, in many lines 70-100 percent has been utilized or committed. For the Ministry’s own Vote, Rs. 624 million was allocated; Rs. 480-487 million (70.9%) has been spent, with the balance to be spent within two months reaching 91%. Parliamentary Affairs Division: out of Rs. 1,370 million, Rs. 791 million (57.7%) spent; with further payments, progress will reach around 70%. The National Secretariat for NGOs: out of Rs. 73 million, Rs. 57.8 million spent; progress will reach 95%.

¶ 06 For the Special Task Force, Rs. 31 million allocated; Rs. 23 million (74.5%) spent. With Clean Sri Lanka support and allocations to the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), Rs. 950 million allocated and Rs. 354 million spent so far. Rs. 430 million is being used to rehabilitate 3 centres; tenders are open for 3 vehicles with payments pending. Overall progress will reach 83%. Police Training College received Rs. 142.5 million; Rs. 101.4 million (71%) spent; with another Rs. 38 million, progress will reach 98%.

¶ 07 The Police received the largest allocation: Rs. 135,350 million for recurrent expenditure; about Rs. 100,000 million (74.6%) spent. Payments of Rs. 23,059.6 million are arranged for the next two months, reaching 91% progress. In total, Rs. 144,300 million allocated; Rs. 103,357.81 million spent, targeting around 90% progress. We are strengthening Police infrastructure accordingly.

¶ 08 Housing: 1,806 official quarters were renovated this year. We are acquiring 350 units at Harbour View Residencies for Police officers—funds allocated and tenders opened. Under Indian assistance, 130 single cabs are arriving. Using Police funds, procurement is complete for 200 single cabs (Rs. 1,200 million). Procurement of 750 motorcycles is finalized and will be purchased within one to two weeks.

¶ 09 Police Hospital: ICU is being upgraded (Rs. 36 million). A new dental theatre (Rs. 196 million) and a new eye theatre are being established. We have approval to recruit 25 doctors (5 specialists, 4 dental surgeons, 16 others). Equipment and facilities have been arranged.

¶ 10 Strengthening 119: increased telephone terminals from 20 to 50 to improve the service. Uniform and shoe allowance: Cabinet yesterday approved a Rs. 7,000 allowance per Police officer; Rs. 1,100 million is allocated for 2025. We will also provide a grant for sports shoes and attire, subject to Cabinet approval next week.

¶ 11 Structural changes: established the Police Criminal Investigations Division (PCID) for asset-based investigations arising from crimes; many cases related to black money and illicitly acquired assets are being investigated. We also established the Financial Crimes Investigation Division last year; it is actively investigating misuse of public funds, bribery, and corruption. The Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has been set up at the Narahenpita Labour Secretariat, with provincial access so complainants need not come to Colombo. We are expanding the Computer Crimes investigation capacity, aiming to elevate it to a division. We receive 20–25 cybercrime complaints daily; the groundwork for a division has been set.

¶ 12 On Police salary structure: Cabinet approval has been obtained to create a separate salary structure for Police. A committee has been appointed. Once its report is received, we plan to implement it in 2026. Funds are provided in this Budget.

¶ 13 Human resources: There is a shortage of about 28,000 Police personnel. We are recruiting 5,000; interviews are underway. Interviews for SIs, constables, and women Police officers are being conducted; gazettes have been issued. About 800 officers were trained at Police College this year; 160 drivers trained; 9 of 10 Colleges are ready. For 2026, approval has been granted to recruit another 5,000, and we will re-gazette in January to fill shortages. The Civil Security Department has been brought under our Ministry; we plan to recruit 10,000 CSD personnel into the Police within a month. We are seeking to recruit 150 legal officers and IT engineers as well.

¶ 14 Promotions: From February 2020 onward, 5,000 held-up promotions were processed; about 80% completed. Any complaints will be examined and justice ensured. For the STF, unfairness in promotions has been identified; we are arranging promotions for 350 STF Inspectors under the supra-grade scheme, and coordinating with Treasury—this will be resolved within the next two to three weeks.

¶ 15 Raising entry standards: We are moving to recruit Advanced Level holders for constable posts, graduates for SI posts, and require postgraduate/advanced qualifications for ASPs—Cabinet approval is being obtained. With training and technology, investigations are now concluded effectively within one or two weeks.

¶ 16 On organized crime: Our officers, including Assistant Superintendent Olugala, are conducting effective investigations. Many red notices have been issued; another 80 will be issued; we are coordinating with state diplomacy and INTERPOL for extraditions.

¶ 17 On Indonesian arrests: We brought back several organized criminals from Indonesia. Since 2025-08-30, investigations have recovered 7 T-56 rifles, a T-81, 6 pistols, 9 revolvers, 2 other weapons, and 909 rounds. We have also uncovered political links through these suspects, which are under deep investigation. We are not politicizing the Police; we act under the public mandate to restore rule of law and justice.

¶ 18 Hon. Chairman: The Hon. Minister, you have two more minutes.

¶ 19 Please give me a minute or two more.

¶ 20 We have implemented the “Nation as One” anti-drug programme, focusing on disrupting supply chains—Tri-Forces, especially the Navy, STF, and all Police units are conducting successful operations. From January to now, over 10–11 months, more than 20 tons of narcotics have been seized—not grams or kilograms but tons. The Navy has been crucial in maritime interdictions.

¶ 21 We are also reducing demand through awareness, treatment, and rehabilitation. A 14-day rehabilitation programme at intermediate homes is being rolled out. The NDDCB is active; funds have been allocated to establish a rehabilitation centre in every district. Construction is underway in Kurunegala, Batticaloa, and Matara. Intermediate homes in Mihintale, Kalpitiya, and Ampara commenced last week.

¶ 22 We have established the National Council for Drug Control chaired by H.E. the President; district councils and divisional operational committees are being set up; 14,000 village-level Public Safety Committees established—creating a nationwide network to fight drugs. We are uniting religious leaders, civil society, media, and medical experts through dedicated committees.

¶ 23 Immigration and Emigration: When we took office, people queued for months for passports; hundreds of thousands of applications piled up. Now queues are eliminated; about 4,000 passports issued daily. We opened the Jaffna regional office; nearly 5,000 passports issued there in recent months. e-Passport tender is opened. Four e-Gates installed at the airport; we will operationalize them with appropriate technology. The new Immigration and Emigration Act is drafted and will be presented after the Budget. Dual citizenship applications are being expedited.

¶ 24 All institutions under the Ministry are aligned to the nation’s future development. For 2026, we plan major work; Rs. 1,500 million allocated to the NDDCB to strengthen rehabilitation centres. I urge families to voluntarily send their loved ones for rehabilitation; incarceration alone cannot solve addiction.

¶ 25 On the 100 SI recruitments queried by Hon. Chanaka Madugoda: Interviews and medicals were completed, but many complaints arose. A committee is investigating. An initial observation is that in some instances marks were given without supporting documentation. We await the committee’s report; if necessary, we will hold interviews again following its recommendations to ensure fairness.

¶ 26 Thank you.