The Criminal Investigation Department (known as CID or the secret police) of the Sri Lanka Police Service is responsible for carrying out investigations throughout the island into serious crimes, including murders, rape and organized crime[1] cases of a very serious nature that require special skills and complex detection. At times, the CID carries out investigations pertaining to national security and is locally known as the secret police or රහස් පොලිසිය.
It is the premier investigation arm of the Sri Lanka Police Department and was established in 1870.[2]
It is headed by a director, who was of a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Grade. However, since the late 1970s, the position of Deputy Inspector General of Police - CID (DIG/CID) was established.
The CID was modelled after the British Police Criminal Investigation Department and hence constitute the plain clothes detectives of the Sri Lanka police. The CID has the power to arrest any person from anywhere in Sri Lanka without getting approval from any Range DIG.
- ^ "Criminal Investigation Department". Archived from the original on 2009-05-15. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
- ^ "Sri Lanka Police Service - Police History". Archived from the original on 19 August 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2008.