Head of the Presidential Security Division under former President Mahinda Rajapakasa's administration, Senior DIG S.M. Wickremasinghe is one of the front-runners for the IGP's position which will be vacant in April, Police department sources said. 

Current IGP N. K. Illangakoon is to retire from service on April 12, they further added. Wickremesinghe, one of the most senior officers in the Department, also functioned as the IGP in the recent past, when IGP Illangakoon left for foreign tours. 

Although Wickremasinghe's conduct as the former President's security chief came under serious criticism from various quarters, President Maithripala Sirisena chose to retain the senior Police officer as the head of his security division after his ascension of Presidency. 

It was reported that the President decided to retain Wickremesinghe as his security chief on the basis that the officer hailed from Polonnaruwa, President Sirisena's political stronghold. Sources close to the President said the senior DIG met the President and apologised to him, over the former's conduct under the Rajapaksa administration.

Senior DIGs Pujith Jayasundara and C.D. Wickremeratne are other contenders in the IGP fray. department sources added.