The Sri Lanka Police is set to get a new uniform by mid-2027.
The government wants the new design to suit the needs of modern police officers.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said talks have already taken place with the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The talks focused on replacing the current police uniform. The President said the IGP has been asked to work with a professional fashion design company.
The company will help create a new uniform for police officers.
The design will need to support the gear officers carry during duty. This includes body cameras, batons, torches and handcuffs.
“We need to rebuild the police with a uniform suited to the modern era,” President Dissanayake said.
The new uniform will form part of a wider plan to improve the police service. The plan covers technology, training, buildings, staffing and working conditions.
The government also plans to address staff shortages. President Dissanayake said the government has approved the recruitment of 10,000 new police personnel.
He said some officers now work shifts of between 12 and 18 hours due to staff shortages.
The government also plans to introduce a risk allowance from January.
It also wants to address long-standing issues linked to police promotions. Other planned upgrades include new motorcycles and single-cab vehicles.
The government also plans to improve police buildings and facilities.
Funding will go towards new buildings for Police Headquarters and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The President said the wider changes aim to give police the staff, equipment and facilities they need.
The new uniform could become one of the first visible signs of that change by mid-2027.
Last modified: September 3, 2026
