The National Police Commission (NPC) has requested a meeting with the Attorney General to discuss concerns arising over the transfer of Officers in Charge (OIC) of police stations.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the meeting is expected to take place in the coming week.
The request follows Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya’s move to seek an interpretation from the Attorney General’s Department. He claimed the response affirmed his authority to manage OIC appointments—a position the NPC firmly disputes.
“Our meeting with the Attorney General is not to seek a legal interpretation, as the law clearly vests the NPC with the power to appoint OICs. However, we wish to discuss the matter since the Acting IGP sought the AG’s opinion without informing the NPC,” the source stated.
The NPC asserts that existing laws and procedures leave no ambiguity regarding OIC appointments, emphasizing that such authority does not rest with the IGP.
Earlier, Acting IGP Weerasooriya formally requested the NPC to delegate him the power to make OIC appointments, citing the Attorney General’s interpretation as justification. However, the NPC rejected this request and copied its response to the Constitutional Council, further escalating tensions between the two parties.
The NPC insists that the appointment process must follow the guidelines set by the Public Service Commission (PSC), which the commission is bound to adhere to.
Under the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, the NPC is empowered with extensive authority over the appointment, promotion, transfers, disciplinary control, and dismissal of police officers, excluding the IGP. Functioning as an independent oversight body, its primary mandate is to depoliticize the police force.
The NPC is chaired by retired High Court Judge Lalith Ekanayake. Other commission members include retired Ministry Secretary Renuka Ekanayake, retired District Secretary K. Karunaharan, Attorney-at-Law Dilshan Kapila Jayasuriya, President’s Counsel A.A.M. Iliyas, and retired Deputy Inspector General Jayantha Jayasinghe.
