Police News

As another significant breakthrough in ongoing criminal investigations, Sri Lanka Police have arrested and brought back to the country Lalith Kannangara, alias ‘Bus Lalith’, a suspect allegedly involved in and directing organised criminal activities in Sri Lanka while residing overseas. The suspect, who had been hiding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was brought to Sri Lanka through the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, in the early hours of today, 25 August 2026. Sri Lanka Police had obtained an Interpol Red Notice seeking the arrest of the suspect in connection with the criminal activities attributed to him. Accordingly, in October 2025, the suspect was arrested in Dubai following a coordinated operation conducted by the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Central Criminal Investigation Bureau (CCIB), in close cooperation with the UAE Intelligence Unit and Dubai Police. Following his arrest, the relevant documentation was formally submitted to the UAE authorities through diplomatic channels, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Sri Lanka and the UAE, with the objective of facilitating his prompt repatriation to Sri Lanka. Subsequently, a special team comprising officers of the Sri Lanka Police and State Intelligence Service travelled to the UAE and escorted the suspect back to Sri Lanka. He has now been handed over to the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau (CCIB) for further investigations and necessary legal proceedings. The successful repatriation of the suspect was made possible through close coordination among Sri Lankan law enforcement and intelligence agencies, together with the valuable cooperation extended by the UAE authorities and Dubai Police throughout the process. The Government of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Police have expressed their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the UAE authorities and Dubai Police for their assistance and cooperation in facilitating the suspect’s return to Sri Lanka. This operation further highlights the importance of strengthening international cooperation among law enforcement and intelligence agencies, particularly through the exchange of intelligence and coordinated action, in the collective effort to combat transnational organised crime and bring wanted individuals to justice. The criminal charges against the suspect are as follows: * On 16.09.2013, assaulting and injuring a person with a sharp weapon within the Hanwella Police Division. * In 2021, unlawfully entering a business premises in the Neluwaththuduwa area, setting fire to a lorry and causing property damage. * In 2021, opening fire in front of the residence of the aforementioned businessman in the Neluwaththuduwa area, seriously injuring a person and attempting to murder him after threatening him and demanding money. * On 16.10.2022, forcibly entering a house within the Hanwella Police Division and attacking three persons with a sharp weapon, causing them serious injuries. * On 18.12.2022, aiding, abetting and conspiring to commit murder by shooting a person with a firearm in the Crossroads area of Hanwella. Cases relating to this incident are currently pending before the Avissawella Magistrate’s Court. * On 25.12.2023, shooting and killing two persons within the Padukka Police Division. * On 04.03.2024, shooting and killing a person within the Hanwella Police Division. * On 30.09.2024, shooting and killing a businessman residing in Neluwaththuduwa. * On 06.07.2025, shooting and injuring three persons travelling in a three-wheeler within the Kosgama Police Division. * On 19.07.2025, providing a T-56 firearm and 25 rounds of ammunition, which had been recovered near a club within the Kollupitiya Police Division, to the arrested suspect. * On 12.08.2025, shooting and killing a former Pradeshiya Sabha member while he was travelling on a motorcycle within the Meegoda Police Division. * On 13.08.2025, firing a gun into the air and fleeing the scene in the Muthuhena Road area of Meegoda. Further investigations will be conducted into the suspect’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking and other organized criminal activities, as well as into assets suspected to have been acquired through illegal means.

Press conference

Acting on a tip-off, a team of officers from the Special Operations Unit of the Horana Police Special Task Force Headquarters conducted a raid in the Maswila area of the Bandaragama Police Division on 18.08.2026. During the operation, the officers arrested a suspect in possession of the suspected narcotics and subsequently handed him over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation. The suspect is a 22-year-old resident of the Bandaragama area. The Police Narcotics Bureau is conducting further investigations into the incident.

Kankanamage Dimuthu Chathuranga Perera, alias “Samithpura Chathu,” who had fled Sri Lanka and was hiding in the Sultanate of Oman, and against whom a Red Notice had been issued, was brought back to Sri Lanka via Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, in the early hours of today, 18.08.2026. The suspect is a 28-year-old resident of Mattakkuliya. The criminal allegations against the suspect are as follows: * Aiding and abetting the murder of Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias “Ganemulla Sanjeewa.” A Red Notice has been issued in connection with this offence.* Aiding and abetting a murder committed within the Mattakkuliya Police Division. Warrants have been issued in connection with this offence.* Possession of a live hand grenade. The suspect has been taken into custody by the Colombo District Crime Division, and investigations have commenced. Further investigations will also be conducted to identify and take appropriate legal action regarding assets suspected to have been acquired through drug trafficking and other organised criminal activities.

Press conference

On the evening of 14 August 2026, a person who was swept out to sea at Madiha Beach, Matara, was rescued by officers of the Police Lifeguard Unit who were on duty at Polhena Beach. Immediately following the incident, the officers who arrived at the scene observed a person approximately 100 metres from the shore, raising his hand and calling for assistance. Chief Police Inspector Udayanga, Police Sergeant 72164 Manjula, Police Constable 16928 Bandara, Police Constable 99558 Sandaruwan, and Police Constable 106516 Bandara immediately entered the water, rescued the individual, administered basic first aid, and subsequently referred him to Matara Hospital for further medical treatment. The rescued person is a 43-year-old resident of the Matara area. The Thanamalwila Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.

Press Conference

Bus drivers are frequently compelled to stop on the roadway because other vehicles are parked at designated bus stops intended for public transport buses to stop and for passengers to board and alight. This practice contributes to traffic congestion and poses a significant risk to the safety of passengers. With the introduction of wheelchair-accessible bus services for persons with disabilities, it is particularly important that bus stops remain free from obstructions.  When bus stops are blocked by other vehicles, persons with disabilities, as well as other passengers, may be placed in dangerous situations while boarding or alighting from buses. A special Government Gazette notification has been issued in this regard, prohibiting the parking of vehicles within 30 metres of a bus stop and within 15 metres of its exit. In the case of bus stops equipped with bus bays, parking is prohibited within 15 metres of the bus stop and within 10 metres of its exit. The Sri Lanka Police has drawn attention to this issue and instructed all police stations to take appropriate legal action against drivers who park or leave vehicles in a manner that obstructs designated bus stops.  These measures are intended to ensure that public transport buses can safely stop at designated locations and that passengers can board and alight safely, while also helping to reduce unnecessary traffic congestion.  

A major drug trafficker who had fled Sri Lanka and was residing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has been brought back to Sri Lanka on 14 August 2026 with the assistance of international law-enforcement authorities. The suspect is a 48-year-old resident of Dehiwala.The suspect is wanted in connection with several offences, including:Drug trafficking – Police Narcotics Bureau, Dehiwala Police Station and Mirihana Police StationIllegal possession of firearms – Mount Lavinia Police Station and Dehiwala Police StationPossession of dangerous and sharp weapons – Piliyandala Police StationMembership in an unlawful assembly and causing injury/damage – Colombo Crimes DivisionFurther investigations will also be conducted into assets allegedly acquired through drug trafficking and other organized criminal activities. In accordance with the orders and directions of the Inspector General of Police, further investigations will be carried out into the suspect and his alleged criminal activities.

An organized criminal who was the subject of an international Red Notice was arrested in Malaysia by a team of officers attached to the Central Anti-Corruption Unit, in an operation conducted with the assistance of the Malaysian Police and INTERPOL. The suspect was subsequently brought back to Sri Lanka by air on the evening of 10 August 2026. The principal suspect, a 41-year-old resident of Ratmalana, had also been temporarily residing in the Peradeniya and Tissamaharama areas. The suspect is wanted in connection with several serious criminal offences, including the following: In 2014, he allegedly abducted and assaulted a person at gunpoint within the Peradeniya Police Division, causing serious injuries. He is an accused in two cases pending before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court in connection with the shooting and killing of a person within the same police division in 2016. Due to his failure to appear before court in connection with the above cases, open warrants had been issued against him. Furthermore, the suspect was arrested in 2003 in connection with a money-laundering case investigated by the Mount Lavinia Police Division, and proceedings were subsequently instituted before the Colombo High Court. He was also arrested by the Mount Lavinia Police Station in 2007 for possession of a hand grenade. Two other suspects who were with the principal suspect at the time of his arrest in Malaysia have also been taken into custody. They are a 35-year-old resident of Ratmalana and a 31-year-old resident of Mount Lavinia. Arrangements have been made to bring both suspects back to Sri Lanka for further investigations. Further investigations into the suspects are being conducted under the instructions and direct supervision of the Inspector General of Police.