Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police
Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police
The Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police (SLCMP) is the Sri Lanka Army unit responsible for policing service personnel and providing a military police presence on service property, operations, and exercises. It comprises three regular regiments and is based at Regiment Center Polhengoda, Colombo. Members wear white webbing with white gaiters.
Policing in the Army is mainly carried out by the SLCMP and the Regimental Police. The Sri Lanka Navy is policed by the Provost Branch, and the Sri Lanka Air Force by the Air Force Police.
The SLCMP carries out policing, provost duties, counter-intelligence, and other security tasks. Ceremonial functions are performed mainly by the President’s Ceremonial Guard Company.
History and development: With the establishment of the Ceylon Army in 1948, a Provost Section was formed (1 officer and 16 NCOs). In 1951 it became a company, led by Capt E.R.P De Zilwa. In 1959 it was raised to a unit. As the Army expanded, provost sections were established at detachments. In 1979 the corps began ceremonial guard duties at the President’s House, with the formation of the President’s Ceremonial Guard Company. The Special Investigations Branch was added to counter crime and misconduct by army personnel, and later became the Special Investigation Unit under the Provost Marshal. The Traffic School was introduced to address road-rule violations by personnel. In 1983, with the formation of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, a Provost Section for women soldiers was established.
Organisation and command: The corps is commanded by the Directorate of the Provost Marshal, which reports to the Directorate of Personnel Management at Army Headquarters. The Centre Commandant leads the Regiment Center at Polhengoda.
Other: The Ex-Military Policemen’s Association exists, with a President and Secretary.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 17:03 (CET).