Need to make a police complaint in Sri Lanka? Whether you are reporting a theft, threats, fraud, harassment, property damage, a road incident or another suspected offence, a clear and well-preserved record can help the police understand what happened. This guide explains how to prepare a complaint, what details to include, how to keep evidence, what to do if you need an acknowledgement or a copy, and which official online channels may be available.
Important: If someone is in immediate danger or urgent police assistance is needed, call Sri Lanka’s police emergency number 119 rather than relying on an online form or waiting for an email response. This article is general legal information, not advice about an individual case.
Contents
- Where can you make a police complaint?
- What to prepare before you complain
- How to write a clear police complaint
- Making a complaint at a police station
- Official online complaint options
- How to preserve evidence
- Acknowledgements, extracts and follow-up
- What if the complaint is not accepted or action seems delayed?
- Mistakes to avoid
- Quick checklist and FAQs
1. Where can you make a police complaint in Sri Lanka?
For an incident that may involve a criminal offence, you can ordinarily approach a police station and explain what happened. The Sri Lanka Police states that police stations operate island-wide and that members of the public may request an acknowledgement of a complaint. The appropriate station will often be the station responsible for the area where the incident occurred; if you are unsure, contact the nearest station and ask where the report should be made.
Choose the reporting channel according to the issue:
- Immediate danger or urgent response: call 119.
- Report an incident directly: visit the relevant police station and give the facts as accurately as you can.
- Complaint about police conduct, a failure to accept a complaint, or a concern requiring escalation: consult the official Tell IGP complaint service and its current instructions.
- Public-security information or complaints: the Ministry of Public Security has announced the 118 Public Security online portal, which accepts written submissions and supporting audio recordings or photographs and provides a way to track progress.
An online submission is not a guarantee that a particular outcome will follow, and it should not be used as a substitute for emergency assistance. Follow the channel’s own instructions and keep any reference number or confirmation message.
2. What should you prepare before making a complaint?
You do not need to write like a lawyer. Your aim is to communicate a truthful, organised account. Before going to the station or using an official form, note the following where you know it:
- Your details: name and reliable contact information, and identity details if requested by the official channel.
- Incident details: the date, approximate time, location and what happened, in chronological order.
- People involved: names, descriptions, contact details or other identifying information you genuinely know. Clearly distinguish what you know from what you suspect.
- Witnesses: names and contact details, if available, and what each person may have seen or heard.
- Loss, damage or injury: describe the nature of the loss or harm and keep related records such as receipts, medical documents or repair estimates.
- Supporting material: photographs, messages, call logs, emails, bank records, documents or CCTV details, where relevant.
- Earlier reports: any previous complaint reference, date of contact or communication with an officer.
Do not delay reporting an urgent or serious incident merely because you have not gathered every document. You can explain what is available now and ask how additional material should be submitted.
3. How to write a clear police complaint
A written complaint should be factual, readable and specific. A simple structure is often more useful than a long emotional narrative.
- Address the complaint appropriately. Identify the police station or officer to whom it is submitted, if known.
- Give your identifying and contact details. Use accurate information so the police can contact you if clarification is needed.
- State the purpose in one sentence. For example: “I wish to report an incident that occurred at [place] on [date].”
- Describe events in date-and-time order. Use numbered paragraphs if several events occurred. Include direct quotations only when you remember the words accurately.
- Identify the people involved carefully. Do not present a guess as a confirmed identity or accuse someone of facts you cannot honestly support.
- List available evidence and witnesses. Say what each item may show; do not alter, crop or annotate original evidence in a way that obscures the original record.
- State what you are asking the police to do. Explain that you are reporting the incident and request that it be recorded and dealt with according to law. Avoid demanding a predetermined conclusion.
- Date and sign the complaint where appropriate. Keep a complete copy of what you submitted and a note of the date, time and place of submission.
Example opening (adapt the facts truthfully):
“I respectfully wish to report an incident that occurred at [location] at approximately [time] on [date]. The events, as I observed them, were as follows: [brief chronological account]. The people who may have relevant information are [names or descriptions, if known]. I can provide the following supporting material: [list]. I request that this complaint be recorded and considered in accordance with the law.”
This is only a writing aid, not a prescribed statutory form. Use the form required by the relevant service if one applies.
4. Making a complaint at a police station
When you attend the station:
- Explain that you wish to make a complaint and give a concise account of the incident.
- Provide the facts and documents you have. If you do not know an answer, say so rather than guessing.
- Ask for the complaint to be recorded and ask how you can obtain an acknowledgement or reference details.
- Before leaving, make a note of the date and time, the station, any reference or information-book details given to you, and any instructions about returning or supplying documents.
- Keep copies of any material you hand over. If an original document or device is requested, ask how it will be identified and recorded and retain a record of what was provided.
The Sri Lanka Police’s published service information says members of the public may request an acknowledgement of a complaint. If you need a copy or extract later, ask the station about the applicable procedure and eligibility. Acknowledgement of a complaint is not the same as a finding that an offence has been proved.
5. Can you make a police complaint online?
There are official online options, but they serve different purposes. Check the official portal itself for current eligibility, required fields and submission instructions before sending personal information.
Tell IGP
The Tell IGP portal allows the public to submit information or complaints to the Sri Lanka Police. Its published instructions describe reports about crimes, traffic offences, public nuisances, corruption and grievances, and explain that complaints are routed to the relevant officers or police stations. It also provides a status-check facility. A working mobile number and verification may be required; follow the current form’s directions.
The Police have also described Tell IGP as a channel for matters such as non-acceptance of complaints, delayed investigations or concerns about police conduct. Use the category and instructions that match the issue. Submitting through Tell IGP does not itself establish that the allegation is true.
118 Public Security online portal
On 3 August 2026, the Ministry of Public Security announced the 118 Public Security online portal. The Ministry says it enables the public to submit written complaints, suggestions and information online, attach audio recordings and photographs, and track progress. It covers public-security matters and relevant departments under the Ministry. Read the portal’s scope carefully to determine whether it is suitable for your issue.
For urgent danger, do not wait for an online submission to be reviewed. Use the emergency route. For a complaint about a specific offence, you may also need to contact the relevant police station and follow any instructions given.
6. How to preserve evidence for a police complaint
Evidence can be lost, overwritten or separated from its context. Preserve it carefully and avoid making changes to the original record.
- Messages and emails: retain the original conversation, sender details, dates, attachments and surrounding context. Screenshots can help explain the record but may not replace the original.
- Photos and videos: keep original files where possible, preserve metadata, and note who created the file and when. Do not publish sensitive material online unnecessarily.
- Calls and voice notes: note dates, times and relevant participants. Keep original recordings where lawfully obtained and do not edit the master copy.
- Financial records: retain transaction IDs, bank statements, receipts, payment confirmations and relevant communications.
- Physical evidence: avoid handling, cleaning, moving or disposing of items that may be relevant, unless necessary for safety. Ask the police how to proceed.
- CCTV: identify the camera owner or location and act promptly to ask that relevant footage be preserved; systems may automatically overwrite recordings.
For more detail, read HICONT’s guide to preserving WhatsApp messages, screenshots and digital evidence in Sri Lanka. If the matter involves an arrest or detention, see our related guide to arrest and the 24-hour rule in Sri Lanka.
7. Acknowledgements, extracts and follow-up
Before leaving the station or closing the online process, confirm what proof of submission is available. Depending on the channel, this may be an acknowledgement, reference number, SMS, email or online status entry. Keep it securely and record the date you made the complaint.
The Sri Lanka Police’s public information page says that an extract of a complaint may be issued by the Officer-in-Charge on application, subject to the law. It refers to section 444(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act in relation to an extract a complainant is entitled to in a criminal case, and notes that extracts may be issued on request in civil matters. The precise entitlement, process and any current fee should be confirmed with the relevant police station; do not assume that every person can obtain every record without restriction.
When following up, give the reference details and a short factual summary. Ask what the current status is, whether additional information is needed, and how any further evidence should be delivered. Keep a dated note of follow-up communications.
8. What if the complaint is not accepted or action seems delayed?
Stay factual and preserve a record of what occurred. Note the station, date and time, the nature of your request, and any explanation provided. You can ask politely how to submit the complaint formally or which officer can clarify the procedure.
If your concern relates to non-acceptance, delay, or police conduct, review the current official instructions for Tell IGP. For a complaint within its remit, the National Police Commission also operates a public complaints management system. Check its official website for the correct category, process and contact details. The appropriate route depends on whether you are reporting an offence, challenging police conduct, or seeking review of the handling of a complaint.
If a serious offence, limitation period, court order or immediate risk is involved, consider obtaining advice from a Sri Lankan Attorney-at-Law. Online escalation should not be assumed to suspend any legal deadline or replace a required court or statutory procedure.
9. Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving a long, disorganised account without dates, locations or a clear sequence.
- Exaggerating, guessing or including information you know to be false. The Tell IGP form specifically warns that false information may constitute an offence under section 175 of the Penal Code.
- Deleting messages, resetting a phone, editing original files or losing attachments before preserving them.
- Handing over the only copy of important material without keeping a record of what was provided.
- Posting allegations, names, private information or sensitive evidence publicly when this could create safety, privacy or legal risks.
- Assuming an online reference means the matter has been investigated or that a specific person has been found guilty.
- Using an online form instead of calling 119 when immediate help is required.
10. Quick checklist before you submit
- ☐ I have written the facts in chronological order.
- ☐ I have included the date, approximate time and location.
- ☐ I have separated what I personally know from what I suspect.
- ☐ I have listed witnesses and supporting records, where available.
- ☐ I have preserved original messages, photographs and files.
- ☐ I have kept a copy of the complaint and noted the submission details.
- ☐ I know how to request an acknowledgement or check the status.
- ☐ I have used the appropriate official channel for the issue and urgency.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a police complaint without a lawyer?
Generally, a person can report an incident directly to the police without first hiring a lawyer. Legal assistance may be helpful where the facts are complex, there is a serious risk, or a specific legal process or deadline applies.
Must I submit a written complaint?
The correct method depends on the circumstances and the channel. You can approach the relevant police station to report an incident; a written account can help organise the facts. Online systems require information in the form they provide. Ask the station how your report will be recorded.
Can I complain online if I live outside Sri Lanka?
The Tell IGP service has described itself as available to local and foreign individuals and accepts submissions in Sinhala, Tamil or English. Current identity, contact and verification requirements are set by the portal. The 118 portal has its own scope and instructions.
Can I obtain a copy of my police complaint?
The Sri Lanka Police says extracts may be issued on application subject to law. Ask the relevant Officer-in-Charge about the procedure, eligibility, documents and current fees, if any.
Does making a complaint mean the accused person is guilty?
No. A complaint records an allegation or information for the authorities to consider. It is not, by itself, proof of guilt or a final judicial determination.
What should I do if the matter is urgent?
If there is immediate danger or urgent need for police assistance, call 119. Do not rely on a web form as an emergency response channel.
Official sources and further reading
- Sri Lanka Police — Information and Services (complaints, acknowledgements and complaint extracts).
- Tell IGP — official police complaint portal.
- Sri Lanka Police — Public awareness on Tell IGP.
- 118 Public Security online portal.
- Ministry of Public Security — announcement of the 118 online portal.
- National Police Commission — public complaints information.
Legal information notice: This guide is intended for general public education in Sri Lanka. It is not legal advice for a particular person or incident. Official portal instructions and procedures can change; check the relevant authority’s current guidance. Where your rights, safety or a deadline are at stake, seek advice from a qualified Sri Lankan legal practitioner.