Could the Sri Lanka Police force be restored to its former glory?

In his address at the 159th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Police, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake requested police officers having links to the drug trade to either get rid of old practices or volunteer to step down from the police profession.

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These remarks indeed give an impression about the reality of the police force today.

Despite being the apex institution to ensure law and order in the country, most citizens look down upon the police force due to its way of dealing with citizens for minor offences. In most instances, police officers are seen arguing with people who have violated traffic laws. Some even go to the extent of twisting existing laws to impose fines just to prove that they are ‘above’ ordinary citizens.

There was a time when the uniform itself spoke volumes about the entire police force but over the course of history, as police officers got themselves involved in high profile crimes and political deals, people’s trust towards the police force deteriorated.