Former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne Found Dead at Residence

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne has reportedly been found dead at his residence in Athurugiriya in an incident suspected to be a suicide.

According to sources, the former police chief is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police are expected to carry out further investigations to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

Wickramaratne, the 35th Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka, served in the Sri Lanka Police for more than 30 years.

Before his appointment as IGP, he held the post of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Southern Province.

Following the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks and the compulsory leave imposed on then-IGP Pujith Jayasundara, Wickramaratne was appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police.

He was officially confirmed as the country's Inspector General of Police on November 25, 2020, and served in the position until his retirement on November 25, 2023.

Authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.