Law enforcement in Sri Lanka

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Law enforcement in Sri Lanka" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Law enforcement in Sri Lanka falls under the jurisdiction of the Sri Lanka Police, the national law enforcement agency, along with local community police and Grama Niladhari.

Additionally, the Sri Lanka Police encompasses several specialized agencies. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is a national unit responsible for investigating serious crimes. The Special Task Force handles Counter-Terrorist and Counter-Insurgency operations. Other divisions include the Traffic Police, Police Narcotic Bureau, Security Council under DIG Valentine S. Vamadevan, and the Children & Women Bureau created in 1979.

Limited law enforcement authority is also given to other departments of the government for specific reasons. The Sri Lanka Customs and Department of Excise have certain police powers within ports, airports, and other customs and excise related matters. The Commission to Investigate Allegation of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), commonly referred to as the Bribery Commission, has powers to arrest persons suspected of bribery or corruption. The Department of Coast Guard exercises law enforcement powers in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka. The military police has police powers limited to military personnel, primarily for internal investigation and guarding military facilities.