Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police, Roshan Fernando was awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Honouris Causa in law and criminology by the British American University of Florida, USA at a ceremony at the BMICH, Colombo last week.
Fernando is the longest serving Senior DIG who has completed over 38 years as a Field Officer in Sri Lanka Police. He joined the Sri Lanka Police as a Sub Inspector in 1982 and is a pioneer member of the STF. He was trained in Israel for anti-terrorist combat and later gained professional qualifications in Japan, Singapore, Nepal, Iran and China.
He had served in Chilaw, Puttalam, Gampola, Nugegoda and Jaffna Divisions as SSP and Badulla, Moneragala, Kurunegala and Special Protection Range as DIG and Northern, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces as Senior DIG. At presently he serves on a Special Assignment on the Prevention of the Spread of Covid-19 at the Police Headquarters. He has been awarded seven IG’s Commendations and two Special Increments for his unblemished career.
He is an all-round product of Royal College, Colombo who captained Royal College athletics in 1979, where he led to the victory of all three major schools championships- the Junior John Tarbet Meet, Senior Tarbet Meet and the Relay Carnival. He was a Public Schools senior meet record holder. He was also a Senior Prefect and became the Head Prefect of Royal College Hostel and in 1980 he won the Best All-Round Hosteller Award.
He started his schooling at St. Mary’s College, Negombo, where his Under 11 Long Jump record in athletics for the Marians still remain unbroken for 49 years. As an Under 16 athlete at Royal College, he had accounted for five records, including the Long Jump which still remains intact after 44 years.
His research interests include Human Rights law, criminology and International Relations. He is a researcher who has published several researches in many international symposiums. In 2007, he was awarded “Singapore Excellence Award” for the contribution in the field of Government Defense Activities and he is also a recipient of “Northern Humanitarian Operation Medal” for his untiring service tendered during the battle against terrorism.