• SDIG (Admin.) Lalith Pathinayake says Dept. admin. structure under review; PSC formulating SoRs 

The Police Department stated that no decision has been made thus far to amalgamate the male and female cadres for administrative purposes, despite media reports suggesting that the Department is in the process of doing so. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (17), Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) (Administration) Lalith Pathinayake confirmed that the Department has not taken any steps to change the existing structure of its workforce. 

“We have not taken such a decision. However, in the public service, no department maintains separate cadres for males and females. The Public Services Commission (PSC) is in the process of making Schemes of Recruitment (SoRs),” he said. 

Pathinayake further explained that the Department is currently reviewing its administrative structure and setting standards. However, he stressed that no decision has been made thus far to merge the two cadres.  

Meanwhile, attempts to contact the Commissioners of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), attorneys Nimal G. Punchihewa and Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke, and HRCSL Media Spokesperson and Director (Research and Monitoring) Nihal Chandrasiri, the National Police Commission, and the PSC were unsuccessful.  

Although some parties have praised the idea of amalgamating the cadres, many have criticised the move. Female Police officers in particular, have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that it would worsen career-related issues that they already face. 

In addition, a Cabinet of Ministers decision made in 2006 to ensure 15% female representation at all levels within the Police Department is yet to be implemented. This failure has raised further concerns regarding gender equality and career progression for women in the Police force. 

A report titled ‘Achieving Gender Equality in the Sri Lanka Police: An Analysis of Women Officers‘ made by the United National Development Programme in 2020, stated that there were only 8,878 women officers in the Police. The report says that, of these, 8,099 or 91.2% of officers were non-gazetted officers in the ranks of Constables and Sergeants (10.7% of the total cadre). 

“Of the 779 gazetted officers, 769 were junior gazetted officers in the ranks of Chief Inspector of Police, Inspector of Police, and Sub Inspector of Police (1% of the total cadre), while only 10 women were senior gazetted officers (0.01% of the total cadre) in the ranks of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and SP.” 

However, the Police force presently has several female DIGs. 

Although a minimum quota of 15% has been recommended, the actual number of women Police officers amounts to only 11.7% of the total cadre, it further read.