Remembering fallen Police Officers - Sri Lanka Police Heroes Day

Colombo (News 1st); Today is a day of great significance as it marks the remembrance day of fallen Police heroes who sacrificed their lives during the past 157 years to protect the lives and property of Sri Lankan citizens.

On March 21, 1864, in the Uthuwankanda area in Mawanella, in the Kegalle district, during an operation to apprehend a suspect named Deekiri Kewage Sardiel, Constable Sabhan succumbed to injuries from a gunshot fired by an accomplice of Sardiel. In remembrance of Constable Sabhan, the first police officer who sacrificed his life to establish law and order in this country, March 21 was named as Police Heroes’ Day. The Police force was formally established in 1866, and Constable Sabhan’s ultimate sacrifice, with the sole intention of ensuring law and order in the country two years prior to this, also gave an impetus to its establishment. The objective of celebrating Police Heroes’ Day is to commemorate police heroes who either made the supreme sacrifice or sweated blood throughout the last 157 years to maintain law and order and protect the lives and property of the public. During the proud journey of the Sri Lanka Police, while facing innumerable challenges, 3,137 police officers have sacrificed their lives to protect the dignity of the police force in various ranks. 2,594 of these police officers were killed during the three decade long war.