2019 Presidential Election: Total 60,175 Police, 8,080 CSD, STF units across island

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – The Sri Lanka Police has deployed 60,175 police personnel, 8,080 CSD personnel and STF teams for duties during the Presidential election period, Police Media Spokesman SSP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Briefing news media at Police Headquarters yesterday, the Police Spokesman said that all police personnel assigned for Presidential election duties had been deployed throughout the country by 6.00 am yesterday (15).

“Two police officers will be assigned to each of the 12,856 polling stations totaling 25,712 police personnel. Covering the whole island, 3043 police patrols have been deployed comprising a Police Inspector or Sub-Inspector, a Police Constable or Sergeant and two Civil Security Division (CSD) personnel. The number of police officers deployed for mobile patrols is 6086 together with 6086 CSD personnel,” he said.

In addition, the number of police personnel deployed to the 43 main counting centers are an SP or SSP, 5 IPs or SI, five Police Sergeants and 40 police Constables for each counting center. Accordingly, the total number of police officers deployed for counting center duties is 2193. Further, covering all parts of the country, 153 riot police squads have been deployed . All the above deployments have been made by last morning. The riot police squads are deployed as 54 full scale riot squads and 99 partial riot squads. Each full scale riot squad comprises an IP or SI, Police Sergeant and 08 police Constables. Each partial riot squad comprises an IP or SI, Police Sergeant and 5 police Constables. The total number of police personnel deployed for riot police duties stands at 1233, the Police Media Spokesman said.

In terms of road block duties, teams have been deployed covering almost all main roads, SSP Gunsekara said. “There are 137 permanent roadblocks established, which operate on a regular basis and not just during the election period. In addition, there are 190 roadblocks set up at main roadways which are established during the election period. Accordingly, 1688 police personnel have been assigned for road block duties. In addition 190 CSD personnel have also been assigned for road block duties.”