Former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne dies by suicide

Retired Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne, who served as the 35th Inspector General of the Sri Lanka Police Service, passed away this morning (17) due to a gunshot wound sustained at his residence in Athurugiriya.

Reports indicate that the shooting occurred around 7:00 AM today, after he requested the firearm from the police officer assigned for his security.

Although steps were taken to immediately admit him to Mulleriyawa Base Hospital after he sustained a serious gunshot wound to the head, hospital sources confirm that he had already passed away upon arrival at the hospital. Police currently suspect this death to be a suicide by firearm, and Malabe Police have launched a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the circumstances and cause of the incident.

Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne, who received his primary education at Ananda College, Colombo, successfully earned a degree in Physics from the University of Colombo. Subsequently, in 1986, he joined the Sri Lanka Police Service as an Assistant Superintendent of Police, dedicating over three decades to an exceptional professional career, holding various positions within the Police Department. During his service, he obtained a postgraduate degree in Management from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and distinguished himself as a skilled officer who successfully completed special international training courses at both Bradford University in Britain and Harvard University in America.

Prior to his appointment as Inspector General of Police, he served as the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Southern Province. Following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, he was appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police after the then Inspector General Pujith Jayasundara was sent on compulsory leave. Subsequently, on November 25, 2020, Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne assumed duties in the permanent position as the 35th Inspector General of Police of the country, and after receiving several service extensions, he retired from the Police Service on November 25, 2023.