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| Tuesday, 19 October 2004 |
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Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
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Beginning of Police Park by Keerthi de Silva, SSP The police sports meet which is one of the oldest athletic events in Sri Lanka, with its rich traditional value was held recently. During the good old days the police had a galaxy of sportsmen hailing from the best schools and good family backgrounds which made them officers and gentlemen. When we go back to history when the British governed our country, that we see the history of police from coastal areas in 1799. History says that after the British invaded the coastal areas in Sri Lanka Fiscals were appointed as Policemen to do the duties. Since the police service was established as Police posts in 1865 under Act No. 16 of the Police Ordinance. After this amendments in 1st January 1866 the Police Department was established. The first Inspector General was P. W. R. Campbell. The present IGP Chandra Fernando is the 28th Inspector General of Police. According to the history, from the day the service was established, annually, a sports meet was organised. That is to maintain the Police Officers discipline and develop them physically and mentally, and also for recreational activities. In 1902 the 1st police sportsmeet commenced and only British could take part. In 1912 on a request made by the Inspector General of Police Y. C. C. London the government donated a 6 acre land to the Police Department the present playground of the Field Force Headquarters. This playground was opened on 28th March, 1914. In 1922 having commenced the construction work and on 26th March, 1925 the Governor General declared open the playground. At the time of constructing the playground they built colourful buildings close to the present playground. These buildings are used as Field Force Headquarters at present. In year 1930 the first schools sportsmeet was held on this playground. In 1932 the police sportsmeet became a national event. A. P. Labrooy and D. S. de Silva established national records. In 1939 the then Inspector General of Police Sir Herbert Dowbeggen built the two-storied pavilion. The present police sportsmeet was started in 1949 with Sir Richard Aluwihare as the distinguished chief guest. In 1956 the athletes who with excellent performance was given special promotions and at present too same procedure is followed. The period from 1967.07.08 to 1970.09.13 the 16th Inspector General of Police Aleric Abeygunawardena introduced the Inter-District and Inter-Division police sportsmeet for the officers and to encourage them to take part in more sporting activities. In February 1973 a decision was taken to promote athletes who had showed excellent performances in national events and a special promotion scheme was introduced for athletes who participated at national and international levels. In April 28, 1993 then Inspector General of Police A. E. B. Perera declared open a pavilion by the side of the police playground which could accommodate 1350 spectators. According to the concept and ideas of Punya de Silva the present DIG of Field Force Headquarters has planned and completed three-storeyed pavilion next to the old pavilion with all the facilities needed for any distinguish invitees. |
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