Page 75 - navstrat

NAVSTRAT-2030

Powers of SLN Personnel in Law Enforcement under General Law
Even though the role of the SLN as a specialized force at sea to protect its ocean from threats; at
present the SLN assists government agencies to enforce the law under Section 21 of the Navy Act
No 34 of 1950. Following are the examples for non-naval duties assigned to SLN;

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● Gazette No 13,351 dated 17 October 1962 -Authorized members of the forces
under the Immigrants and Emigrant Act
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● Gazette No 13,791 dated 15 October 1963 -Powers of Officers and Sailors of the
Sri Lanka Navy to act as Custom Officers
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● Gazette No 13,943 dated 6 February 1964 -Prevention and Detection of the
dynamiting of fish in Sri Lankan waters

Further Sections 95 (3), 96 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979 requires Service
personnel to perform certain duties in the dispersal of an unlawful assembly and arresting of
persons involved in such assembly.
In addition to the above mentioned duties and responsibilities under the law of the state, the Public
Security Ordinance (PSO) promulgated by His Excellency the President calls armed forces for
duty under Section 12 of the PSO. Armed Forces are attributed the same powers conferred on
Police officers other than powers specified in Chapter XI of the Criminal Procedure Act. No. 15
of 1979 relating to the investigation of offences.

Powers of SLN personnel in Law Enforcement under Emergency Law

The President has the authority to issue whatever regulations referred to as ‘Emergency Regulations’
appear to him to be necessary or expedient in the interests of public safety, the maintenance of public
order, the suppression of mutiny, riot or civil unrest or for the upkeep of supplies and services vital to
community life under section 5 of the PSO. In times of emergency armed forces are allowed to
perform certain functions ordinarily performed by police officers.

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