Author name: Tharindu Withanage

A man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to offer a bribe of Rs. 500,000 to the Chief Inspector of Police at Teldeniya Headquarters in an effort to secure the release of a suspected drug trafficker. The sequence of events began on 31.07.2026, when officers attached to the Teldeniya Headquarters Police arrested a suspect near the Teldeniya Temple in possession of 2 grams and 385 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as “ice”). The suspect was produced before the relevant court and subsequently detained under a detention order for further questioning. Based on information obtained during the investigation, police launched an operation to apprehend a suspected major drug trafficker. On 03.08.2026, officers arrested the suspect in the Thennekumbura area while he was allegedly in possession of 10 grams and 795 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”). The suspect was also found with cash suspected to be proceeds of drug trafficking, a mobile phone believed to have been used in trafficking activities, and equipment allegedly associated with the drug trade. He was kept in police custody pending his production before court. While the suspect was in custody, an individual allegedly attempted to secure his release by offering a bribe of Rs. 500,000 to the Chief Inspector of Police, Chandrapala, of the Teldeniya Headquarters Police. Acting strategically, the Chief Inspector arranged for the individual to come to the police station on 03.08.2026. As the suspect attempted to hand over the Rs. 500,000, he was arrested with the assistance of other police officers, and the cash was taken into police custody as evidence. A case has been filed against the suspect under the provisions of the Bribery Act, and further investigations are underway to determine his alleged links to the drug trafficking operation.

An incident was reported on 27.05.2026 in which three Sri Lankan nationals, who had been promised employment opportunities in Canada by a suspect, were trafficked to Ethiopia and subsequently abducted by an organized foreign criminal group. Upon receiving the complaint, the Trafficking in Persons, Smuggling Investigation and Maritime Crime Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) immediately launched a comprehensive investigation. Investigations revealed that the three victims had travelled to Ethiopia via Dubai on the instructions of a suspect residing in the Kilinochchi area, who had fraudulently obtained approximately Rs. 6.4 million from them by promising overseas employment. Further inquiries established that the same suspect had also collected approximately Rs. 2 million from the victims’ relatives under the pretext of securing their release after the abduction. Investigators further uncovered evidence indicating that the suspect had direct links with the foreign criminal network responsible for the kidnapping. Acting on intelligence, CID officers apprehended the suspect while he was hiding in the Nedunkeni area. Meanwhile, the CID’s Trafficking in Persons, Smuggling Investigation and Maritime Crime Investigation Division coordinated with the Addis Ababa Police Division in Ethiopia and, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notified the Ethiopian Embassy regarding the abduction of the three Sri Lankan nationals. As a result of this coordinated international effort, the Ethiopian authorities successfully rescued the three victims on 06.06.2026. During the rescue operation, four Pakistani nationals and one Ethiopian national were arrested in connection with the incident. The three rescued victims, aged between 26 and 34, and identified as residents of Jaffna, Vavuniya, and Kilinochchi, were repatriated to Sri Lanka by the Ethiopian authorities on 01.08.2026. Following their arrival, statements were recorded by the CID’s Trafficking in Persons, Smuggling Investigation and Maritime Crime Investigation Division, after which they were referred to the Negombo Judicial Medical Officer for medical examination. Further investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the suspect’s involvement with the foreign organized criminal network and to identify any additional individuals connected to the human trafficking operation.

Press conference

Press conference

The GovPay platform has been introduced as a secure and user-friendly digital payment solution to facilitate online payments for government services in Sri Lanka. Among its services, members of the public are able to settle on-the-spot traffic fines issued by the Sri Lanka Police through the official GovPay payment system. However, the Sri Lanka Police have recently uncovered several incidents in which fraudsters have created counterfeit websites closely resembling the official GovPay platform to deceive the public and unlawfully obtain mone Over the past few days, reports have also been received indicating that members of the public have been sent fraudulent SMS messages falsely claiming to be from the Sri Lanka Police. These messages allege that recipients have committed speeding or other traffic offences and instruct them to pay a fine through fake payment links. The Sri Lanka Police wishes to emphasise that, when dealing with traffic offences, officers either issue an on-the-spot traffic ticket to the offender or initiate legal proceedings in accordance with the relevant law. Even in instances where traffic offences are detected through surveillance cameras, the Police do not send SMS messages requesting bank account details or directing individuals to make payments through links sent via text messages. The public is therefore strongly advised to remain vigilant, avoid accessing suspicious links, and never disclose personal or banking information through unofficial websites or messages. Anyone who has fallen victim to such fraudulent activities is urged to lodge a complaint at the nearest police station without delay. Important Notice GovPay is an official payment service that operates only through authorised banking applications (Banking Apps) and approved financial technology applications (Fintech Apps). Members of the public are strongly advised not to make payments using links received via SMS messages or through any other unofficial channels.

Based on information received by the Officer-in-Charge of the Walana Central Anti-Corruption Unit, Chief Inspector Indika Weerasinghe, officers attached to the Unit conducted a raid on the morning of 28 July 2026 in the Mawakkumodara area of the Kalu Ganga, which flows through the Gankanda and Wagawatta areas of Horana. During the operation, 25 suspects engaged in illegal gem mining activities were arrested along with equipment valued at over Rs. 70 million, including 14 boats and 6 motorcycles allegedly used for the illegal activity. A team of officers from the Kalutara Police Division also assisted in carrying out the raid, which was conducted under the direction and supervision of the Director of the Walana Central Anti-Corruption Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Rohan Olugala. Among the 25 arrested suspects, three have been identified as well-known gem traders. All suspects, along with the items seized during the operation, have been handed over to the Horana Police for further legal action. Further investigations are underway to identify and arrest individuals who provided assistance and support for the illegal operation.