1st Regt SLCMP

In October 1949 on the orders of the first Commander of the Ceylon Army the Earl of Caithness, Captain ERP De Silva and ten members of the Blue Tops formed the nucleus of the Ceylon Corps of Military Police. The provost red caps at No. 1 billet Echelon square Colombo Fort. Thereafter to the Eastern side of Echelon Square secluded within the walls of Hospital Street, Hospital Lane and Canal Row.

Echelon Square derived from French Echelon means rungs of a ladder figuratively stepping life formation of troops or a subdivision of a Military Command this location called Echelon Square the birthplace was soon devoured to make way for skyscrapers and five-star Hotels, like Bank of Ceylon Head office, Hotel inter-Continental. Hotel Galadari Meridian, And Hotel Hilton

The undermentioned comprised the provost Company Ceylon Corps of Military Police. Captain ERP De Silva OC 1- Provost Company.

Sgt Mathews K
Cpl Vadeval Karesu VMV
L/Cpl Pereira NW
L/Cpl Herath HS
L/Cpl Priyasena MA
L/Cpl Mohamed TF
L/Cpl Daniels GF
L/Cpl Goonatileke RAP
L/Cpl Rajapakse
L/Cpl John RG

Thereafter 06 more NCOs joined the 1 Provost Company increasing the strength to 16 NCOs.

At Echelon Square under the Command of the 1st Commanding Officer Lt Col ERP De Silva (01.10.1949 15.09.1964) the unit excelled in swimming and brought laurels to the Army and as well to the unit. Especially on paydays, the Military Police personnel were burdened with extra courtesy and vigil duties. Most of the soldiers who had occupied the billets at Echelon Square under various units with bulging pockets and tingling coins usually diverted their attention to one of the famous pubs called the Browns Bar situated at Hospital Street and after entering and consuming their much-desired drinks soon got intoxicated and unable to retrace steps to their respective billets, like divine minstrels the MPs would come to rescue, taking them to their locations. Some others having quenched their urge for liquor, visit another famous Eastern cuisine sales outlet called the Jaffna Hotel to relish

They desire a Gourmet by consuming the Army's famous menu, pittu and crab curry. Once their bellies are full, they now seek for pleasant pastures, specially to scan the much admired and vulnerable points of twilight women.

The role of the present Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police is to maintain a high standard of discipline in the entire Army both in peace and war. This is achieved by the prevention of crime, maximum advice and assistance to all army personnel both on and off duty, detection of crime, apprehension of offenders and maintaining road discipline.

In order to cater for the rapid growth of the Army, the Military Police too has gradually increased, and provost sections were formed wherever army detachments were located. Specialized branches such as the Special Investigation Branch and the Traffic School were included in the establishment by the provost to counter various crimes and also misconduct and infringement of road rules on public highways by army personal.

From 1949 to 1974 Military Police shifted their headquarters from place to place. In 1978 the Corps of Military Police was located at Elvitigla Mawatha, Narahenpita. In the same year the Military police was bestowed with the rare honour of performing the ceremonial guard duties at HE the President's House and to meet this requirement, the President's Ceremonial Guard Company was formed. In 2006 Military Police was shifted to Borupana on 30th July 2009 and thereafter to Polhengoda on 17th July 2009 and the establishment was increased to 117 officers and 2802 NCOs.

Lt Col ACA De Zoysa Lsc (3 SLCMP) took over the appointment of Commanding Officer 1 SLCMP on 28th July 2010 at Polhengoda, He is the 18th Commanding Officer who is holding this appointment. The event of taking over the duties Comprise with Guard turnout, Guard of honour, Religious Observances, photographs and all rank addresses. There were around 11 officers and 174 other ranks present for the programme of the day. At the all-rank address, the Newly Commanding Officer reminded former COs who commanded the unit and all the officers and other ranks who contributed to uplifting the standard of the regiment.

Also, he hopes for the blessing and encouragement of the Col of the Regt, Centre Comd, all COs of other Regt, Comdt of SMP and all officers and Other Ranks too. The 1st Corps of Military Police was inaugurated on 30th October 1949 with 01 Officer and 10 other ranks.