Special Task Force

STF Motor Cycle Squad
This squad, active in Colombo and suburbs at one time, is doing yeoman services in operation areas by providing access to areas unreachable by other heavier vehicles. They are capable of rapid deployment and launching quick, surprise attacks.

Search and bomb disposal unit

Established after the bomb attack on Parliament on 08 August 1987, this unit, known at its inception as the STF Search Unit is the first to be established by an act of Parliament.

Based on the training given to the officers of this unit by foreign bomb disposal experts and their extensive training on explosives, this unit was officially declared the Bomb Disposal Unit.

With special training on suicide bombs and Intelligent Explosive Devices (IED), the scope of this unit has become wider today. This is the only unit in the Police permitted to handle and assume responsibility for all explosive devices in the arsenals of the Department
.

Parachute Unit

The Parachute Unit, who had completed the parachute training course of the Sri Lanka Air Force, is capable of landing in enemy-held areas with the assistance of airborne troops.

STF Women’s Unit

This unit assists in working in the offices and operation areas, and search operations and body searches of women at road blocks.

The nature of duties of the Special Task Force

Other than their duties in the operational areas, the foremost duty of the STF is assisting the Police in upholding the law and order of the country. Rehabilitating the civil population in operational areas and conducting road searches are major parts in the duties of the STF.

* Launching operations to thwart terrorist attacks

* Operations in Batticaloa, Vavuniya and Amparai Districts

* Protecting the VIPs

* Protecting foreign VIPs

* Carrying out search operations and intelligence missions

* Searching for, and disposal of bombs and explosive devices

* Assisting the police in difficult situations

* Holding special training programmes for the Police, the Special Forces and other institutions

* Prevention of terrorism in Colombo and suburbs

* Prevention of organised crime

* Conducting search operations to upgrade the security of sensitive points

* Providing security for National Festivals and other special occasions

* Providing assistance in disaster situations

are some of the duties of the Special Task Force.

Special thanks to:

The Commandant of the S.T.F. D.I.G.Nimal Lewke,
S.S.P. S.T.F. Ajith Wickremasekera
I.P Sanjeewa Silva

Photography - Media Unit of the STF
Rathna Pitagampala
Priyantha Wijewardene