Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala and Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya represented Sri Lanka at the Fifth United Nations Police Chiefs Conference (UNCOPS 2026), held at the United Nations Headquarters from July 7 to 9.
The conference, organised by the United Nations Police Division, brought together police chiefs and senior law enforcement officials from UN member states and international policing organisations to strengthen cooperation in promoting global peace, security and United Nations peacekeeping operations.
During the conference, the Sri Lankan delegation held bilateral discussions with several foreign police chiefs to enhance international cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges.
According to the delegation, the discussions resulted in progress towards expanding opportunities for Sri Lankan police officers to serve in United Nations peacekeeping missions. They also focused on strengthening international cooperation in tracing and repatriating criminal suspects who have fled overseas.
The conference further highlighted the importance of applying the professional skills, operational expertise and international experience gained by police officers during UN peacekeeping missions to strengthen policing and public security in their home countries.
