Prime Minister's Security Division
Encyclopedia
Prime Minister's Security Division (PMSD) is a unit of the Sri Lanka Police charged with the close protection of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
. It is headed by a gazetted officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). The unit consists of both uniformed and non-uniformed officers who provide close protection and guard Prime Ministerial residences.
and Prime Minister's House
(Temple Trees), without special training in close protection. This was highlighted when Prime Minister S W R D Bandaranaike
was assassinated at his residence by Talduwe Somarama
. The need for specialized independent unit was once again highlighted when personal from the internal security detail of the Royal Ceylon Navy, the Provost Branch were brought to guard Temple Trees on the night of 27 January 1962 when the attempted military coup
by senior police and reservist military officers was due to be launched.
Since the 1950s the Ceylon Army had assisted the police to guard the Temple Trees and protect the Prime Minister during national crises, such as Hartal 1953
and 1971 JVP Insurrection. Even in peace time the armoured corps
has maintained an armored detachment at Temple Trees.
With the creation of the Executive Presidency in 1978 the Prime Minister ceased to be the head of government
. This reduced the power of the post, however with the escalation of political associations as a result of the Sri Lankan civil war
and the JVP Uprising (1988-1989) the security of the Prime Minister increased. For this purpose the Prime Minister's Security Division was officially created in the 1990s with specially trained police officers and Special Task Force
personal attached to it.
On January 5, 2000, personal of the PMSD prevented an assassination attempt by a female suicide bomber
of the LTTE, the bomber detonated the bomb outside the Prime Minister's Office killing 13 civilians and three police officers attached to the PMSD.
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka is the functional head of the Cabinet of Sri Lanka. However, the President is both head of state and head of government in Sri Lanka...
. It is headed by a gazetted officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). The unit consists of both uniformed and non-uniformed officers who provide close protection and guard Prime Ministerial residences.
History
Police officers from the Ceylon Police Force were assigned to protect the Prime Minister of Ceylon since the post was established in 1947. These policemen were randomly chosen of the Prime Ministers security detail and to guard the Prime Minister's OfficePrime Minister's Office (Sri Lanka)
The Prime Minister's Office is a ministry of the Government of Sri Lanka. It provides the administrative and institutional framework for the exercise of the duties and responsibilities vested in the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka...
and Prime Minister's House
Prime Minister's House (Colombo)
Prime Minister's House, most commonly known as Temple Trees, is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. It is located in Colombo, Sri Lanka...
(Temple Trees), without special training in close protection. This was highlighted when Prime Minister S W R D Bandaranaike
Solomon Bandaranaike
Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike (Sinhala:සොලමන් වෙස්ට් රිජ්වේ ඩයස් බන්ඩාරනායක)(Tamil:சாலமன் வெஸ்ட் ரிச்சர்ட் டயஸ் பண்டாரநாயக்கா)Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike (Sinhala:සොලමන් වෙස්ට් රිජ්වේ ඩයස් බන්ඩාරනායක)(Tamil:சாலமன் வெஸ்ட் ரிச்சர்ட் டயஸ்...
was assassinated at his residence by Talduwe Somarama
Talduwe Somarama
Talduwe Ratugama Rallage Weris Singho better known as Talduwe Somarama was a Sri Lankan Sinhalese Buddhist monk who shot and killed Solomon Bandaranaike, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 1959...
. The need for specialized independent unit was once again highlighted when personal from the internal security detail of the Royal Ceylon Navy, the Provost Branch were brought to guard Temple Trees on the night of 27 January 1962 when the attempted military coup
Attempted military coup in Ceylon, 1962
The 1962 Ceylonese coup d'état attempt was a failed military coup planned in Sri Lanka . Several Christian senior military and policy officers planned to topple the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Mrs...
by senior police and reservist military officers was due to be launched.
Since the 1950s the Ceylon Army had assisted the police to guard the Temple Trees and protect the Prime Minister during national crises, such as Hartal 1953
Hartal 1953
Hartal 1953 was a country-wide demonstration, commonly known as a hartal, held in Ceylon on August 12, 1953. It was organized to protest of the policies and actions of the incumbent United National Party government, and resulted in the resignation of the Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake...
and 1971 JVP Insurrection. Even in peace time the armoured corps
Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
The Sri Lanka Armoured Corps is currently a collection of six regular regiments and a volunteer regiment. It has an independent Armoured Brigade and provides the armour capability of the Sri Lankan Army, with vehicles such as the T-55, T-55AM2, and Type 69 main battle tanks, the BMP infantry...
has maintained an armored detachment at Temple Trees.
With the creation of the Executive Presidency in 1978 the Prime Minister ceased to be the head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
. This reduced the power of the post, however with the escalation of political associations as a result of the Sri Lankan civil war
Sri Lankan civil war
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
and the JVP Uprising (1988-1989) the security of the Prime Minister increased. For this purpose the Prime Minister's Security Division was officially created in the 1990s with specially trained police officers and Special Task Force
Special Task Force
The Special Task Force is an elite special forces unit of the Sri Lanka Police Service specializing in Counter-Terrorist and Counter-Insurgency operations. It was formed in 1983 not as a military force but rather as a highly specialised police unit...
personal attached to it.
On January 5, 2000, personal of the PMSD prevented an assassination attempt by a female suicide bomber
Female suicide bomber
Though the majority of suicide bombers have been male, female suicide bombers have carried out a number of attacks.-History:Female suicide bombers have been employed in several conflicts, by a variety of organizations, against both military and civilian targets.*In Lebanon on April 9, 1985, Sana'a...
of the LTTE, the bomber detonated the bomb outside the Prime Minister's Office killing 13 civilians and three police officers attached to the PMSD.