Police will begin monitoring Colombo City from tomorrow with CCTV cameras as the installation of 108 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in 28 locations has now been completed.
Colombo City will come under the eyes of the law through CCTV cameras installed in the city. These CCTV cameras which have been placed at various vantage points in the city will be commissioned tomorrow by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.The police will maintain continuous observation through the newly installed cameras to combat crime and to carry out surveillance and collect information. Cameras have been installed at Thunmulla Junction, Lipton Circus, at flyovers, high security zones and in Maradana.
The police are also planning to help ease traffic congestion by giving proper instructions to motorists when heavy traffic jams are observed. A separate division will handle the CCTV system monitoring unit from the Mounted Police Division building situated in Olcott Mawatha.
“The main purpose is to make sure that the City of Colombo is safe and free from any form of crime or violence. The traffic flow and crime related activities in the city will also be monitored. This will enable police to take action if there is traffic congestion or disturbances in the city,” said Police Media Spokesman Prishantha Jayakody.
“We can monitor crimes that take place within the city and also persons who violate traffic laws and those who try to escape from police custody. It would be also used to identify criminals who avoid arrest after committing crimes,” he said.
The cost of installing the cameras in Colombo was Rs.350 million and it was borne by the Ministry of Defence.
Police hope that the installation of CCTV cameras will make a considerable impact in reducing crimes in public places such as railway stations, bus stops, junctions and places in and around public institutions.
CCTV camera systems are used around the world to aid police investigations. Crimes such as bank robberies have been solved using the camera system. It has been revealed that CCTV is more effective as an exposure tool than a deterrent. The use of CCTV cameras is not only for crime prevention, but also for crime detection and prosecution.
Last edited:
