Police Academy launches groundbreaking training initiative on SOGIESC rights for in-service officers
By: Editor (LGBTIQ)
January 30, Colombo (LNW): In a historic initiative, the National Police Academy inaugurated the first-ever series of training and sensitisation programmes aimed at educating in-service police officers on the Rights of people with diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities, Gender Expressions, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC).
The opening ceremony of this pioneering programme was graced by distinguished guests, including Chief Justice LBT Dehideniya, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, who represented the Inspector General of Police (Act) of Sri Lanka, Mr. Asanga Karavita.
The event also saw the participation of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Training and Higher Training, Mr. Asanga Karavita, Acting Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka, HE Iwan Rugtens, DIG Renuka Jayasundara, Chief of the Police Women and Children Division, and Focal Point for the LGBTQIA+ Community.
Trainers leading the programme also joined hands with these eminent figures.
This initiative is hailed as a significant milestone in advancing the LGBTQIA+ movement within the Sri Lanka Police, signifying a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.
The comprehensive training programmes aim to raise awareness, enhance understanding, and promote respectful engagement with individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
The engagement of high-ranking officials and the commitment to such training initiatives underscore the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion within the law enforcement community.
As advocates for inclusivity and human rights, the Sri Lanka Police Academy’s proactive approach is commendable, aligning with global efforts to create police forces that respect and protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
This training initiative is poised to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to build a more equitable and tolerant society within the framework of law enforcement.
