Police heroes remembered

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

IGP Illangakoon handing over a gift pack to a child of the beneficiary families. Picture by Chaminda Niroshana

Heroes of the Police Department who made supreme sacrifices on behalf of the motherland were commemorated.

The 148th National Police Memorial Day celebrations were held under the patronage of Inspector General of Police N.K.Illangakoon at the Police Field Force Headquarters, Bambalapitiya, yesterday.

The Sri Lanka Police is the main institution that protects the law in the country. The Police Service was established on September 3,1866.

The first death of a police officer whilst on duty occurred in March 21,1864 when he attempted to apprehend a person and 3,075 police officers have sacrificed their lives whilst on duty. Many died in the past three decades due to terrorism.

Two thousand five hundred and seventy seven male police officers and 11 female officers sacrificed their lives and 1,297 officers became disabled due to the war.

Four hundred unarmed police officers were killed by the terrorists in June,1990 and that is the worst tragedy inflicted upon the Sri Lanka Police.

The police have donated special gifts among families of departed police officers.