Police Day on March 21

The 149th Police Day will be commemorated on March 21 in a fitting manner in memory of Police heroes who have sacrificed their lives in defence of the country and protection of law and order.

The origin of annual Police Day commemoration dates back to March 21,1864, when cpnstable Sahan died of gun shot injuries received during a Police raid to apprehend the notorious bandit Saradiel. Sixty four Policemen had sacrificed their lives for the cause of providing security to their countrymen between 1964 and 1971.

Thirty nine Police Officers,354 constables and four Women Police Constables had sacrifice their lives for the defence of the country the failed youth uprisings in 1971 and 1989. The first Police Inspector to have sacrificed his life was Inspector P L Dissananyake who was felled by a gunshot when he went to apprehend a wanted criminal at Horana on February 17, 1917. ASP SW Jayawardena’s is recorded as the first Police spokesman to have sacrificed his life in defence of the nation.

He died on August 5,1984 in a terrorist attack on the Kankesanthurai – Jaffna Road. Since the death of Sahan in 1864, the number of Police personnel who have sacrificed their lives to maintain law and order totalled 3,087.

The number of Police War Heroes who have sacrificed their lives in defence of the nation is 3,255. Police Day celebrations will be held on March 21 at the Police War Memorial at the Bambalapitiya Field Force Headquarters on March 21 presided by IGP NK Illangakoon, states SSP Prishantha Jayakody, Director (Sports), Police Department in a release.