Author name: Tharindu Withanage

The Sri Lanka Police has observed that a message circulating on social media falsely claims to be “an awareness campaign issued by the Sri Lanka Police Department.” This post is currently being widely shared across various social media platforms. The Sri Lanka Police wishes to inform the public that any official awareness campaign or public notice is issued exclusively through the Police Media Division and released to the media as an official press statement under the appropriate heading. In addition, information intended for public awareness is regularly published through the official Facebook page and YouTube channel of the Sri Lanka Police, which provide verified updates and announcements on a daily basis. The Sri Lanka Police is currently taking the necessary steps to investigate whether the dissemination of such misleading information by certain individuals or groups falsely presented as official communication from the Police is a deliberate and organized act. The public is kindly requested to exercise caution, understanding, and sound judgment when viewing or sharing such content on social media.

On the evening of 15 March 2026, officers of the Unlawful Assets Investigation Division arrested the mother-in-law of a suspect who had been previously apprehended for allegedly transporting drugs to Sri Lanka from India (South India) between 2019 and 2023. The arrest was made in the Mannar area. Investigations carried out into properties acquired using proceeds generated by the drug trafficker revealed that the suspect had pawned a quantity of gold jewellery at several financial institutions. These items were subsequently redeemed and sold to a number of jewellery shops in the Mannar area. Accordingly, it was determined that the suspect had committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by pawning and selling items while being aware that they had been obtained through unlawful activities. Based on these findings, steps were taken to arrest her. The suspect is a 66-year-old resident of Mannar. Furthermore, the Unlawful Assets Investigation Division has filed a case before the High Court of Sri Lanka concerning assets allegedly acquired through illicit earnings. These assets include a two-storey house, a five-room house, a motor vehicle, and nearly 360 pounds of gold jewellery. Legal action has been initiated to extend court orders prohibiting the use or transfer of these properties. Further investigations are currently being carried out by the Unlawful Assets Investigation Division.

On the morning of 15 March 2026, officers from the Ahungalla Police Station conducted a raid in the Gamakarawatta area of Ahungalla, during which they arrested a suspect found behind a house in the area. At the time of the arrest, the suspect was in possession of several small packets of drugs, raising suspicion that he was involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics. The police also recovered Rs. 105,000, which is believed to have been obtained through drug trafficking. The arrested individual is a 22-year-old resident of the Pathegama area. Further investigations regarding the suspect are currently being carried out by the Ahungalla Police.

Officers attached to the Tangalle Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau arrested two suspects in possession of 210 grams of “ice” (crystal methamphetamine) and 102g of heroin during raids conducted in the Hungama Kiwula South and Hatagala areas on 14.03.2026. The suspects, aged 27 and 39, are residents of the Ambalantota area. Further investigations into the arrests are being carried out by the Hungama Police. In a separate operation, a team of officers from the Uragasmanhandiya Police arrested a suspect who was found in possession of 105g of ice and 450mg of heroin during a raid conducted that same night in the Udumulla area of Uragasmanhandiya. The suspect has been identified as a 36-year-old resident of Galudumulla. Meanwhile, officers from the Galewela Police arrested another suspect who was found with 2 kg of cannabis, 5g of ice, 260 mg of methamphetamine, and Rs. 84,500 in cash, which is suspected to have been earned through drug trafficking. The raid was carried out in the Jayathilaka mawatha area of Galewela on the afternoon of 14.03.2026. The suspect is a 38-year-old resident of the same area. Further investigations regarding the suspect are being conducted by the Galewela Police.

In the suburbs of Colombo, such as Mirihana, Maharagama, Dehiwala, and Mount Lavinia, many homeowners obtain domestic workers for household duties or for work at business premises through employment agencies or intermediaries. However, there have been several reported incidents in which such workers have allegedly stolen valuables, including cash, jewellery, property, and foreign currency, from homeowners and fled. Therefore, individuals who intend to hire domestic workers are strongly advised to follow the guidelines and precautionary measures listed below. Recommended Precautionary Measures Carefully verify the individual’s background before offering employment. Obtain a clear photocopy of the National Identity Card (NIC) and check the original document to ensure that the copy is authentic. Request a police clearance or report from the police stations in the areas of the worker’s permanent and temporary residences. Collect and verify the contact numbers of close family members for reference purposes. Ensure that jewellery, cash, and other valuable documents in the home are securely stored in a safe and protected location. Taking these precautions can help reduce the risk of theft and enhance the safety and security of households when employing domestic workers.

A team of officers from the Special Operations Unit attached to the Police Special Task Force camp in Gonahena apprehended a male and a female suspect who were transporting 1 kg and 344 g of Crystal Methamphetamine (“ice”) and 688 grams of heroin on a motorcycle in the Mee Abeywatte Road area within the Nittambuwa Police Division on the evening of 10 March 2026. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are associates of an organized crime figure, as well as an individual currently incarcerated for organized criminal activities. The arrested suspects and the seized narcotics have been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation.

Officers of the Athimale Police Station, together with the Narcotics Control Bureau, arrested a suspect during a raid conducted on the morning of 09.03.2026 in the Kotiyagala Reserve area, within the Athimale Police Division, where a cannabis cultivation site had been established across an extent of approximately two acres. During the operation, 55,220 cannabis plants, each reaching a height of about six feet, were discovered growing on the land. Authorities subsequently took measures to destroy the plantation by setting it on fire. The suspect taken into custody is a 34-year-old resident of the Embilipitiya area. Further investigations are being carried out by the Athimale Police.

A team of officers, including the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Habarana Police, arrested two individuals in possession of 46g and 200mg of the drug Ice on 07.03.2025 near Lodge Junction on Dambulla Road. One of the suspects is a 27-year-old resident of Bakamuna Yaya 06, who was found with 35g and 100mg of Ice in his possession. The second suspect, a 24-year-old resident of Palugaswewa, Habandivulwewa, was apprehended with 11g and 100mg of the same drug. Both suspects are currently being held at the Habarana Police under a five-day detention order. Further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals connected to the drug trafficking operation.