Tharindu Withanage – Page 7 – SRI LANKA POLICE

Author name: Tharindu Withanage

Special Events

Suspect Wanted Under Red Notice Brought Back to the Island

Following direct discussions held by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) with the Government of India, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, and Indian security authorities coordinated through the Minister of Public Security and the Secretary to the Ministry, an organized criminal who was the subject of an international Red Notice and had been residing abroad was repatriated to Sri Lanka from India by air. The suspect was taken into custody this evening (24.01.2026) at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, by a team of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and was subsequently handed over to the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Keselwatte Police for further investigations.The suspect is a 34-year-old resident of Keselwatte. Legal proceedings have been instituted against the suspect in the Courts in connection with the following offences: • Committing murder using sharp weapons within the Keselwatte Police Division in 2015.• Aiding and abetting a shooting and murder in the Kotahena Police Division in 2018.• Assaulting an individual with a sharp weapon in the Mattakkuliya Police Division in 2021.• Possession of a live Grenade in the Kotahena Police Division in 2021.• Robbery and possession of narcotic drugs in the Keselwatte, Wellawatte, and Bloemendhal Police Divisions. Further investigations are being carried out under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Colombo Range.

Special Events

General Law Applies to Disputes Between PickMe, Uber, and Professional Three-Wheeler Drivers

Following a dispute that arose in the Ella area in December 2025 between a registered PickMe taxi driver and several three-wheeler taxi operators, conventional three-wheeler drivers initiated protest actions against taxi drivers affiliated with ride-hailing services such as PickMe and Uber in multiple locations across the country. As these incidents escalated into confrontations and reports emerged of disturbances to public order, Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, convened discussions at Police Headquarters with the leadership of the Three-Wheeler Owners’ Associations representing both parties, along with representatives of PickMe and Uber. During the discussions, the IGP emphasized that the foremost responsibility of the Sri Lanka Police is the preservation of public peace and order. He further stated that whenever complaints relating to mob violence, physical assaults, intimidation, or threats are reported to police stations, legal action will be taken in accordance with the country’s criminal law, irrespective of organizational affiliations or trade-related disputes.

Notable Services

Police Seva Vanitha Unit visits Silawathura village to provide relief to families affected by Cyclone “Ditwa”

As a result of the destruction caused by Cyclone “Ditwa,” many underprivileged families residing in several parts of the island continue to face severe hardships and live with limited basic facilities. In response, another phase of the island-wide humanitarian programme initiated by the Police Seva Vanitha Unit to identify and assist such vulnerable communities was successfully conducted on 15.01.2026 in the Silawathura area of the Mannar Police Division. The event was held under the patronage of the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, and the Chairperson of the Police Seva Vanitha Unit, Attorney-at-Law Mrs. Nilmini Neeta Samarathunga. During the programme, 150 relief parcels containing dry rations and essential household items were distributed among affected families. The residents were also provided an opportunity to collectively present their concerns and grievances to senior police officers of the division. All donations for this relief effort were generously contributed by Sri Lankans residing in the State of Dubai, under the leadership of Mr. Prasanna Kumara, Proprietor of Nirmana Cargo (Pvt) Ltd, in appreciation of and confidence placed in the Police Seva Vanitha Unit. The event was attended by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Wanni District, Mr. Indika Hapugo; the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Mannar Division, Mr. Eric Sanjith; the Officer-in-Charge of the Police Seva Vanitha Unit, Ms. Padmini Jayaweera; Chief Inspector of Police Mr. Prasanna Kumara; along with officers of the Police Seva Vanitha Unit.

Police News

A suspect was arrested in Talahena with a T-56 firearm, 10 live cartridges and a live grenade

The main suspect in the crime of seriously injuring a woman with a sword in Borella Police Division on 14.11.2025 was arrested in the evening of 12.01.2026 in Talahena area of Malabe Police Division with a T-56 firearm, a magazine of the same ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a live grenade manufactured in a foreign country by officers of the Homagama Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau and presented to the Homagama Police. The suspect is a 27-year-old resident of Borella. Homagama Police are conducting further investigations.  

Police News

Organised gang involved in preparing 11 three-wheelers for sale using forged documents arrested

Three members of an organized gang who were involved in stealing three-wheelers from various parts of the island including the Mirihana Police Division have been arrested by the Nugegoda Divisional Crime Investigation Division. The police have been able to arrest these suspects after a lengthy investigation into a three-wheeler theft reported from the Mirihana area on December 28, 2025. The suspects arrested by the police have been identified as residents of Kelaniya, Ambalantota and Parakaduwa, aged 30, 32 and 46. Based on information received from two suspects arrested on January 10, another suspect was arrested the next day, and one three-wheeler hidden in the Kuruwita area was initially found in their possession. Based on the facts revealed during further interrogation of the arrested suspects, the investigating officers were able to take into police custody 10 more three-wheelers stolen from the areas of Yatiyanthota, Balangoda, Badulla and Battaramulla.  

Police News

Three suspects arrested with a foreign-manufactured revolver and six Bullets following a shootout

According to information received, officers attached to the Colombo North Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau have arrested two suspects within the Mattakkuliya Police Division in possession of a foreign-manufactured revolver, six (06) live rounds of ammunition, approximately 36g of the narcotic substance known as Ice, and a motorcycle. Further investigations have revealed that the suspects were allegedly making preparations to carry out a shooting targeting an individual in the Mahawatta area of the Grandpass Police Division, acting under the instructions of two organized criminal figures currently residing overseas. Earlier, on the night of 09.01.2026, another suspect was apprehended in possession of approximately 5g and 800 milligrams of the drug Ice (approximately 5.8g) along with a three-wheeler suspected to have been used for the transportation of narcotics. Information uncovered during subsequent investigations led to the identification and arrest of the above two suspects. The three suspects, aged 32, 34, and 35, are residents of Mattakkuliya, Horana, Wanawasala, and Kelaniya. Further investigations into the suspects and the recovered firearm are being carried out by the Colombo North Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau under detention orders obtained from the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on 10.01.2026.  

Police News

Various narcotic substances seized from the possession of a luxury jeep driver

On the morning of 09.01.2026, a luxury jeep that was moving near the Etthukala railway crossing in Periyamulla was stopped and inspected by officers of the Negombo Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau, who were suspicious and arrested the person in possession of 10g of cannabis, 01g of cocaine and 100 drug capsules. Further investigations into the suspect and a search of the room in the lodge where he was staying resulted in the discovery of 29g of 240mg of Kush and 02g of 230mg of unidentified drugs, while a search of the suspect’s herbal shop yielded 1000 drug capsules. The suspect has been produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court and a detention order has been obtained, and the Negombo Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau has commenced extensive investigations into the suspect.  

Police News

T-56 firearm and 16 rounds of ammunition seized following the lifting of restrictions

On the night of 2026.01.07, a team of officers from the Police Special Task Force Gonahena Camp conducted a raid in the Harannagoda area of ​​the Meetiyagoda Police Division on a tip-off and arrested a suspect with a T56 firearm, a magazine for the same, 16 rounds of T56 ammunition, a cartridge case capable of firing 9mm bullets and 144 grams of heroin and presented him to the Meetiyagoda Police Station. The suspect is a 44-year-old resident of the Meetiyagoda area. After being produced before the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court on 2026.01.08, he was detained at the Meetiyagoda Police Station until 2026.01.13 and further investigations are underway.

Police News

Suspect apprehended for unlawfully obtaining Rs. 118,000 through a computer-related offence

A person who contacted a sales company to purchase a high-power water pressure washer based on an advertisement posted on the Facebook social network has been caught in a money scam when he tried to use the link (web extension) received from the company. About one hundred and eight thousand rupees have been lost and the suspect was arrested by the North Western Provincial Computer Crime Investigation Unit on 07.01.2026 based on a complaint made by the victim to the North Western Provincial Computer Crime Investigation Unit. The suspect is a 22-year-old resident of Ihala Gomugomuwa area. The North Western Provincial Computer Crime Investigation Unit is conducting further investigations into the suspect. “When purchasing a product or service over the Internet, it is advisable to use only websites that are designed to make payment easy. The difficulty of making a payment by clicking on a suspicious web link, as well as granting permission if those websites request access to your device data, is an invitation for another party to seize not only the money in your bank account but also your personal data stored on the device.”

Special Events

A Gift for Children Beginning Their School Journey

Since 2020, the Police Buddhist and Religious Affairs Association has been providing financial vouchers to purchase school shoes for the children of police officers and civilian employees of the Sri Lanka Police who are entering Grade One. Marking the commencement of the 2026 school year, the inaugural ceremony for the symbolic presentation of cash vouchers to ten selected children was held on the morning of 19 January 2026 at the main conference hall of Police Headquarters. The event was held under the patronage of the Chairman of the Police Buddhist and Religious Affairs Association, Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. Sanjeewa Dharmarathne, Vice Chairman of the Association, Senior DIG Mr. Rajitha Sri Daminda, along with several senior police officers and civilian officials of the Sri Lanka Police, were also present at the ceremony. All eligible police officers and civilian staff serving across the island will receive these vouchers through their respective police divisions in the near future.

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