SP Gunewardena of the Hatton police division, SP Mapalagama of the Moneragala police division as well as two other SPs in the CID are the only officers functioning as SPs at the present.

The situation has occurred due to Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) not being promoted in recent times.

The newly appointed IGP Pujith Jayasundara has raised the matter with the secretary of the Police Commission after meeting him recently.

According to reports, the IGP has urged to promote 60 ASPs to the post of SP without delay.

However, speaking to 'Sri Lanka Mirror', IGP Pujith Jayasundara said that a request has been made to appoint new SPs.

Meanwhile, SSP Buddhika Siriwardena too said to 'Sri Lanka Mirror' that a request has been made to the police commission on this regard and that they expect the green light to be given next week to promote 60 ASPs.

He also said that there is no marked difference between the duties of SP Grade i and SP Grade ii.