• 9 CCD-like bureaus to probe complaints improperly probed by Police stations  

The Ministry of Public Security stated that the Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police (SDIGs), who currently have supervisory roles, will take on operational duties through the special criminal investigation bureaus to be set up in all the provinces.

It was recently reported that special crime investigation bureaus are to be set up covering all provinces to minimise crime.

Speaking to The Daily Morning on the plan, the Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said: "Currently, there are special investigation bureaus only in Provinces such as the Western and Southern Provinces. We are planning to establish such bureaus in all the Provinces. They will be similar to the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) in structure."

According to him, the proposed bureaus will be in operation under the direct supervision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and tasked with investigating and taking action on complaints which are not properly investigated by the respective Police stations. "The SDIGs will head these bureaus. For now, they are performing a supervisory role. When these bureaus are set up, they will also take on operational duties."

The bureaus, once in operation, will focus on solving unsolved cases, tackling organised crime, combating drug trafficking, and addressing other forms of crimes. They will also investigate crimes more common in certain provinces, such as human smuggling. Each bureau, which is slated to be set up early next year (2025), will have its own hotline for the public to tip-off the relevant authorities on related matters.