The Police Department, which functioned without a Chief for more than two weeks until the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne was granted the second service extension on 9 July 2023, and whose service extension duration has since lapsed, has again become headless as an IGP is yet to be appointed.

Wickramaratne, whose initial service extension expired on 26 June 2023, was granted another three-month service extension by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 9 July, and it expired on Monday (9).

In response to a query regarding the matter, the Ministry of Public Security – under which the Police falls –  Secretary Viyani Gunathilake said that a decision on the next IGP is yet to be made.

The Daily Morning also learnt that nominations for the post of the IGP have not yet been referred to the Constitutional Council (CC).

Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police and attorney Nihal Thalduwa was not available for comment. When contacted, the Police Headquarters stated that there was no IGP as of last morning (10).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, a member of the CC recently said that the CC had not received any nomination for the post of IGP thus far. He also said that he was of the belief that Wickramaratne would be granted another service extension by the President. However, the possible extension of Wickramaratne's service as the IGP has seen opposition from several parties including groups of Parliamentary Opposition.