Former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne to Be Laid to Rest with Full Police Honours

The final rites of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne will be held with full police honours this afternoon (July 20) at the Borella General Cemetery.

Wickramaratne, Sri Lanka's 35th Inspector General of Police, passed away at the age of 63.

He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1986 and was appointed Acting IGP following the suspension of then IGP Pujith Jayasundara in the aftermath of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. He was formally appointed Inspector General of Police on November 27, 2020.

Although he was due to retire on March 25, 2023, his tenure was extended several times by then President Ranil Wickremesinghe until a new IGP was appointed. He eventually retired on November 23, 2023, after serving nearly eight additional months.

Police said Wickramaratne died on Friday from a gunshot wound. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding his death and have stated that they are treating it as a suspected suicide. According to police, the firearm believed to have been used was one issued to his security officer.

Following the post-mortem examination conducted by the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) at the Colombo East Hospital, an open verdict was returned. The JMO also directed that body samples be sent to the Government Analyst for further examination.

The investigation is being conducted by the Western Province South Crime Division together with the Malabe Police. The firearm recovered from the scene has also been forwarded to the Government Analyst for forensic analysis.

As part of the ongoing investigation, statements have been recorded from Wickramaratne's wife and three of his security officers, according to the Western Province South Crime Division.