The constitutional council that met yesterday (18) recommended his name to president Maithripala Sirisena, who will make the appointment.

Most Lankans have congratulated Jayasundara, while only a handful has leveled any criticism.

Usually, the social media depicts how the police are at the receiving end of public disapproval.

However, it is a question as to whether the social media represents the opinion of the entire society, as a majority of Lankan adults do not use social media.

Taken as a whole, Jayasundara could be considered as being popular, but he was recently criticized for having justified a police crackdown on protesting HND students.

As per the CC recommendation, Jayasundara is expected to take oaths as the new IGP today.

Following the retirement of police chief N.K. Illangakoon, senior DIGs Pujith Jayasundara, S.M. Wickramasinghe and Chandana Wickramaratne have been named to succeed him.

Born on 15 March 1960, Jayasundara studied at Dharmaraja College, Kandy.

He joined the police as a trainee ASP on 20 May 1985.

A holder of the management (special) degree from Sri Jayewardenepura University, Jayasundara has received police training in England, Japan, Malaysia, India and the US.

As director of the PNB, he took many steps to curb the heroin menace, and also served as the senior DIG in charge of western, norther and eastern provinces.