Sri Lanka’s former police chief, who served between 2020 and 2023, has allegedly ended his life on Friday (July 17, 2026), according to police.
Chandana Wickremaratna, the former Inspector General of Police, passed away around 7:30 this morning at Athurugiriya, an eastern suburb of the capital Colombo, police spokesman F. T. Wootler said here on Friday (July 17, 2026).
Wickremaratna, 63, was police chief between 2020 and 2023. From 2019, he had acted as the acting police chief.
The reasons for his death have not been made public yet. He was declared dead when brought to the hospital. Two police teams have been deployed to carry out investigations, Mr. Wootler said.
(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies may seek hel p and counselling support by contacting Lanka Life Line: 1375)
Published - July 17, 2026 01:14 pm IST