Colombo — Serious allegations have emerged against Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya, claiming he has intervened in multiple procurement processes to favour Chinese companies linked to a controversial Muslim businessman with whom he has maintained a long‑standing association since his days as a constable.
According to senior police sources, Weerasooriya — who holds the honorary title “Constable Punyasoma” under the current administration — is alleged to have manipulated tender procedures for both the police shoe‑polish supply and the procurement of body‑worn cameras. These sources claim the IGP has been working closely with a businessman based in Colombo Fort, a relationship that reportedly began during his tenure in the Police Supply Division many years ago.
Shoe‑Polish Tender Manipulation Alleged
The technical committee responsible for evaluating suppliers had initially recommended Assent Kivi for the police shoe‑polish tender. However, insiders say the IGP has pushed for the tender to be awarded instead to Ace, a Chinese brand.
To facilitate this shift, the technical committee report is allegedly being rewritten to justify awarding the tender to Ace. Two senior officers who opposed the move have reportedly been targeted with fabricated allegations and subjected to disciplinary action.
Body‑Camera Tender Under Scrutiny
Under the programme to modernise daily police operations, the Sri Lanka Police initiated a tender to procure body‑worn cameras capable of recording real‑time audio and video. This procurement process had previously sparked controversy due to concerns over quality and communication reliability.
Despite these concerns, the IGP is accused of intervening to ensure that the tender is awarded to Hytera, a Chinese manufacturer whose products have been banned in the United States on national‑security grounds. Hytera’s local representative, Securatec Lanka, is reportedly linked to the same businessman associated with Weerasooriya.
Body‑camera integration with the police network is handled through Mobitel, and the initial rollout of surveillance kits began under former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. However, procurement was halted after technical issues were raised regarding Hytera’s devices.
Hytera: A Company Under Global Restrictions
In March 2021, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) declared Hytera’s surveillance and radio‑communication equipment a threat to national security. Following the signing of the Secure Equipment Act of 2021 by President Joe Biden, the FCC banned the sale and import of Hytera products in November 2022.
In March 2025, the FCC launched an investigation into Hytera and several other Chinese companies for allegedly violating these restrictions through operations conducted within the United States.
Luxury Benefits and Foreign Trips Raise Further Questions
Police sources allege that the IGP’s family — including his wife and son — have received various benefits from the businessman and associated companies, including foreign trips to China and Singapore and access to luxury vehicles.
It has also been revealed that the same company is fully sponsoring a private overseas trip the IGP is scheduled to undertake in two weeks.
Industry Standards Ignored
Globally, security agencies typically procure body‑camera brands such as Boblov, Transcend (DrivePro), Motorola (VB400), and Insta360 GO. The decision to push for Hytera — despite its international restrictions and technical concerns — has intensified scrutiny over the IGP’s alleged dealings.
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