Author name: Tharindu Withanage

A special traffic plan will be implemented in the Colombo area in view of the proud 78th National Independence Day celebrations and its related rehearsals. The 78th National Independence Day celebration is scheduled to be held in a grand manner on 04 February 2026 at the Independence Square premises. In preparation for this event, pre-rehearsal programs will be conducted from 30 January 2026 to 02 February 2026. Accordingly, based on the rehearsal schedules and the main Independence Day celebration, special traffic restrictions and alternative routes will be enforced as follows: Traffic Restriction Timings 30.01.2026, 31.01.2026, 02.01.2026 From 07:45 hrs to 13:30 hrs 01.02.2026 (Full Rehearsal): From 05:00e hrs to 13:30 hrs 04.02.2026 (Independence Day): From 05:00 hrs until the conclusion of the celebrations Roads Subject to Traffic Restrictions During Rehearsals Nidahas Mawatha – Entrance to Independence Square from Nidahas Roundabout Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha – Entrance towards the Foundation Institute Bauddhaloka Mawatha – Torrington Junction to Premakeerthi de Alwis Mawatha Bauddhaloka Mawatha – R.F.P. Junction to Maitland Place Wijerama Mawatha – Vidya Mawatha Junction towards Vidya Mawatha Maitland Crescent – R.G. Senanayake Mawatha Junction towards Freedom Roundabout Maitland Crescent – Junction towards Freedom Roundabout Horton Place – Maitland Crescent Junction towards Freedom Roundabout Roads Subject to Traffic Restrictions on 04.02.2026 (From 03:00 hrs until the end of the celebrations) Horton Roundabout to Ananda CoomaraswamyE Mawatha Library Junction to Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha towards Horton Roundabout Dharmapala Mawatha to F.R. Senanayake Mawatha Kannangara Mawatha to F.R. Senanayake Mawatha Nidahas Mawatha to Freedom Roundabout towards Independence Square Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha towards the Foundation Institute Bauddhaloka Mawatha – Torrington Junction to Premakeerthi de Alwis Mawatha Bauddhaloka Mawatha – R.F.P. Junction to Maitland Place Wijerama Mawatha – Vidya Mawatha Junction to Vidya Mawatha Maitland Crescent – R.G. Senanayake Mawatha Junction to Freedom Roundabout Maitland Crescent – Junction to Freedom Roundabout Horton Place – Maitland Crescent Junction to Freedom Roundabout Residents and institutions located along the roads affected by the above traffic restrictions will be permitted to travel without disruption to their essential duties. The public and motorists are kindly requested to cooperate with the Police and to use alternative routes where possible. 

A complaint has been lodged with the Mirihana Police stating that on 30 January 2026, two attorneys who appeared in a case before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court were attacked after leaving the court premises. According to the complaint, while the lawyers were alighting from their vehicle, a group of individuals blocked the car near the Nugegoda Gamsabha Junction, damaged the vehicle, and threatened them. In response to the incident, three police teams, including officers from the Mirihana Police, commenced investigations. As a result, a team from the Mirihana Police arrested one suspect in the Kajulandawatte area, within the Madampe Police Division. The arrest was made on charges of unlawful obstruction, criminal intimidation, and mischief, as well as participation in an unlawful assembly. The arrested suspect is a 43-year-old resident of the Kajulandawatte area, Madampe. Police have stated that all individuals involved in acts obstructing the lawful exercise of the legal profession will be swiftly apprehended and produced before the Court. Further investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest the remaining suspects.  

On the morning of 31.01.2026, a team of officers from the Police Narcotics Bureau conducted a raid in the Bentota Police Division on a tip-off and arrested two suspects with 05 kg and 105g of heroin. The suspects are residents of the Bentota area, aged 40 and 45. The Police Narcotics Bureau is conducting further investigations.

The body of a woman who had been assaulted and killed was discovered on an upper floor of the Sayura Apartment Complex in Angulana, following a telephone call received by the Angulana Police on the evening of 27.01.2026. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was a 24-year-old woman, a permanent resident of the Kudawaskaduwa area in Wadduwa. According to information provided by neighbors, she had been engaged in a dispute with the individual she was residing with at the apartment complex since the evening of 26.01.2026. Based on these findings, officers attached to the Crime Branch of the Angulana Police pursued the suspect connected to the assault and homicide and arrested him on 28.01.2026 while he was attempting to flee the area. The arrested suspect is a 26-year-old resident of the Sayurupura area in Angulana. Further investigations into the incident are currently being carried out by the Angulana Police.  

The 2026 National Taekwondo Championship, organized by the Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation, was successfully held on 23rd, 24th, and 25th January 2026 at the Nittambuwa Estates Indoor Stadium. A total of 208 athletes representing 19 sports clubs participated in the championship. The Sri Lanka Police Taekwondo Team fielded 16 male and 7 female athletes across several competition categories, of whom eight athletes secured podium finishes, demonstrating commendable skill and dedication. Achievements Police Constable 96761 W.H.H.T. Weerasinghe – 74 kg weight category – First Place Police Constable 90601 S.M.D.I.C. Seneviratne – 87 kg weight category – Second Place Police Constable 106505 R.M.U. Rajaguru – 80 kg weight category – Second Place Police Constable 105855 M.P.N. Fernando – 54 kg weight category – Third Place Police Constable 98709 H.M.D.G. Bandara – 58 kg weight category – Third Place Female Police Constable 12643 W.P.Y. Kumara Ratna – 67 kg weight category – Second Place Female Police Constable 12665 K.M.H. Weerakoon – 67 kg weight category – Third Place Female Police Constable 12578 H.M. Ayeshani – 73 kg weight category – Third Place All eight medalists competed in the Kyorugi (sparring) event. The Chairman of the Police Taekwondo Team is Deputy Inspector General of Police M.N. Sisira Kumara, while the Secretary is Assistant Superintendent of Police N.T. Nirosha Kumari. The team is managed by Inspector A.D.S. Amarasinghe. The coaching and support staff include Chief Coach Police Sergeant 15970 W.P.S. Hettiarachchi, Assistant Coach Police Constable 79389 A.L.A. Arana Shantha, and Physiotherapist Police Constable 79393 S.J.P. Sugathadasa. Police Constable 23785 T.M.P.C. Tennakoon served as the Team Leader.  

Officers attached to the Mahaoya Camp of the Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested a 24-year-old suspect who was illegally loading sand into a tipper truck without a valid permit during a raid carried out on the morning of 26.01.2026 in the Karadaha area of the Mahaoya Police Division. Later the same night, another suspect aged 41 was apprehended in the Kolayaya area of Ikiriyagoda, Mahiyangana, while unlawfully loading sand into a tipper truck without the required authorization. The suspect, a resident of the Mapakada area, has been produced before the Mahiyangana Police Station for further legal proceedings. Meanwhile, officers from the Ampara Camp of the Police Special Task Force arrested a 40-year-old individual who was illegally loading sand into a tractor-trailer without a permit during a raid conducted that evening in the Adaloya area of the Uhana Police Division. The suspect is a resident of the Weranketagoda area in Uhana.  

A 48-year-old suspect, a resident of Elutthur, Mannar, who allegedly defrauded Rs. 1,705,000 by falsely promising to facilitate employment in Canada, was arrested by officers of the Negombo Special Crimes Division on 24 January 2026. The suspect was produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court and has been remanded until 03 February 2026. In a separate incident, a complaint has been reported regarding a fraud involving Rs. 915,000, in which a suspect allegedly promised employment in Romania. According to the complaint, a woman from the Anuradhapura area was deceived by an acquaintance and initially paid Rs. 470,000 for preliminary arrangements. Subsequently, after being informed that an additional Rs. 1.6 million was required to complete the remaining procedures and that half of this amount should be paid the victim transferred Rs. 400,000 to a bank account provided by the suspect. Despite repeatedly requesting a refund as time passed, the suspect failed to return the money. The victim thereafter lodged a complaint with the police, submitting photocopies of deposit receipts and related documents as evidence. Public Advisory Members of the public are advised to exercise caution when seeking employment opportunities abroad through private institutions. It is strongly recommended to select service providers only after conducting thorough and proper verification. Do not fall victim to individuals who exploit the aspirations of job seekers with fraudulent intentions. If a service provider appears suspicious, immediately report the matter to the nearest police station. Always retain payment receipts and documents containing the service provider’s details for future reference.