Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police
| Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 October 1951 - Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Military Police |
| Role |
Policing, Provost , Counter-intelligence, Ceremonial |
| Size | 6 Units |
| Regimental Centre | Polhengoda, Colombo. |
| Nickname(s) | MPs |
| Colors | Red & Blue |
| Anniversaries | 1 October (Regimental day) |
| Engagements |
1971 Insurrection Insurrection 1987-89 Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Centre Commandant | Col GKS FONSEKA Lsc |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | "MP" Armband |
The Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police (SLCMP) is the branch of the Sri Lanka Army responsible for the policing of service personnel and providing a military police presence on service property, operations and exercises. It is made up of three regular regiments and with headquartered at Regiment Center Polhengoda, Colombo. Like other military police around the world, they continue to wear white webbing with barrack dress but white gaiters .
Policing in the Sri Lankan Army is carried out mainly by SLCMP and by the Regimental Police. The Sri Lanka Navy is policed by the Provost Branch. The Sri Lanka Air Force is policed by the Air Force Police (AFP).
Role
The Military Police force carries out the following missions:
- Maintenance of order and a high standard of discipline by provision of garrison police facilities: Consists of monitoring, maintaining and, if necessary, re-establishing discipline and military order. This also involves controlling stragglers and refugees in times of war.
- Security missions: Prevents and deters any threat to or attack against the personnel and property of the armed forces. MPs also provide VIP motorcycle escorts and honour guards, perform close protection missions, and escort classified documents and money transports.
- Tactical military police support to the Army in all phases of military operations and guarding prisoners of wars.
- Counter-intelligence operations are also carried out by MP's within the army.
- Traffic control.
History
With the establishment of the Ceylon Army in October 1948 a Provost Section was raised. The section then consisted of 1 Officer and 16 NCOs On 1 October 1951 the establishment was increased to that of a company and Capt E.R.P De Zilwa was appointed Officer Commanding. In 1959 the Company was elevated to the level of the unit and the Commanding Officer was promoted Lieutenant Colonel.
With the rapid expansion of the army in resent years the corps has also been gradually increased and has provost sections at every Army detachment.
In 1979 the Military Police had the rare honour of performing the ceremonial guard duties, such as Guard Mounting at the President’s House and to meet this requirement, the President’s Ceremonial Guard Company was formed.
Specialized branches such as the Special Investigations Branch and the Traffic School were included to the establishment by the provost in order to counter various crimes and also misconduct and infringement of road rules on public highways by army personnel. The Special Investigations Branch has now expanded to a Special Investigation Unit, directly functioning under the Directorate of Provost Marshal.
The introduction of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps gave necessity to maintain the discipline of the women soldiers, and the Provost Section of MP Women was established in 1983.
Units
Regular Army
- 1st Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police
- 2nd Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police
- 3rd Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police
- Special Investigation Unit (SIU)
- Sri lanka Corps of Military Police School
Notable members
- Sergent Chaminda Ruwan Yakandawala
Order of precedence
| Preceded by Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers |
Order of Precedence | Succeeded by Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps |