🔥 Trending C.D. Wickramaratne: Former Inspector General of Police and recent news

C.D. Wickramaratne was a prominent Sri Lankan police officer who served as the 35th Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Sri Lanka. He was recently in the news due to his death in July 2026, which police are investigating as a suspected suicide ³⁸.

Early Life and Education

Born on March 26, 1963, Chandana Wickramaratne received his primary education at Ananda College, Colombo ¹². He went on to graduate from the University of Colombo with a degree in physical sciences ¹².

Career in the Sri Lanka Police Service

Wickramaratne joined the Sri Lanka Police Service on June 16, 1986, starting his career as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and intelligence officer ¹². He dedicated over three decades to the police force, rising through the ranks.

Inspector General of Police (IGP)

He was officially confirmed as Sri Lanka's 35th Inspector General of Police in November 2020 ⁴. His tenure as IGP was marked by significant national crises, and he inherited a police service facing intense public criticism following events such as the Easter Sunday attacks ⁴.

Recent Events

C.D. Wickramaratne passed away in July 2026, with police indicating that his death is being investigated as a suspected suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his residence in Athurugiriya ³⁸. His final rites were held with full police honors, including ceremonial gun salutes, attended by senior police officers, family members, and dignitaries ⁶⁷.