The Sri Lanka Police celebrates its 150th anniversary. 

William Robert Campbell, then the chief of police in the Indian province of Rathnageri, was appointed by Governor Frederick North as the first Chief Superintendent of Police in Ceylon on 3rd September 1866. The date is considered as the beginning of the Sri Lanka Police Service. Campbell is credited with shaping the Police Force into an efficient organization and giving it a distinct identity. He brought the whole island under his purview and the police became a national rather than a local Force.

Currently, the police force is nearly 85,000 strong. 

The standard form of address 'Sri Lanka Police' is to be adopted from today onwards to commemorate the anniversary. Further it is set to issue commemorative stamp and first day cover to mark the occasion. The Police Anthem will be unveiled with participation of Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka.

Main celebration will be held at Bambalapitiya Police Grounds today with the presence of President Maithripala Sirisena as the chief guest.