Police News

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.

Following instructions from the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Colombo District, Mr. Nishantha Zoysa, an investigation was launched by the Colombo Central Division Criminal Investigation Division. The inquiry was conducted under the supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in charge of the Colombo Central Division, Mr. Mahesh Kumarasinghe, and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) responsible for Colombo Central District I, Mr. B.D. Gunasekara. The investigation relates to an incident that occurred on January 16, 2026, in the Jinthupitiya area within the Coastal Police Division, where one individual was shot and killed while two children sustained injuries. As a result of the ongoing investigation, officers of the Colombo Central Criminal Investigation Division arrested the suspect in the Udawalawe area on March 9, 2026. The suspect is a 26-year-old resident of Mirisyaya, Colombageara. Based on information revealed during the interrogation, investigators recovered property connected to the crime, including two mobile phones allegedly used by the suspect while committing the offence. The suspect, together with the recovered items and relevant case materials, has been handed over to the Coastal Police Station for further investigation. Meanwhile, the other gunman involved in the offence had previously been arrested by officers of the Colombo Crimes Division on March 3, 2026, within the Grandpass Police Division while in possession of 11g and 830mg of “Ice” (crystal methamphetamine). The suspect was produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court and has been remanded in custody.

The Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Fredrick Wootler (LLB, UK Hons), received the VISHWA ABHIMANYA People’s Award for the third time in recognition of his exceptional service to the Media sector at the SLIBA 2026 – Sri Lanka International Business Awards ceremony held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall on the evening of 12 March 2026. His first recognition was the Public Communication Award presented at the People’s Excellency Awards 2025, held at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla, on 29 December 2025. His second accolade was the Pride of the Nation Award, presented at the Pride of the Nation Awards 2026 ceremony held at the Foundation Institute, Colombo 07, on the evening of 02 February 2026. This award honored individuals who rendered outstanding social service to the nation during the year 2025. Serving as the Director of the Police Media Division and functioning as the Police Media Spokesperson, he has played a key role in keeping the public informed by issuing media statements in all three languages Sinhala, Tamil, and English. He has also undertaken commendable media initiatives, including disseminating important information, providing guidance and public advisories, and communicating directly with the public through Sri Lanka Police social media platforms, including the official Facebook page and the official police website. Furthermore, the Police Media Division has expanded beyond traditional media practices by adopting modern digital communication strategies to bring information closer to the public. Several innovative concepts were introduced, including a series of digital audio-visual program released in episodic format through the official social media platforms of the Sri Lanka Police. These programs, including PODCASTS accessible via the internet at any time, received significant public appreciation. In addition, Mr. Wootler has earned considerable social recognition through his voluntary work as an external consultant, conducting awareness programs and workshops for students and various institutions. These contributions, together with the distinction he has brought to the Sri Lanka Police, have been key factors in him receiving the Sri Lanka International Business Awards 2026.

The Sri Lanka Police secured the overall championship of the 2025 Public Service Volleyball Tournament, held on 25 February 2026 at the Nittambuwa Wathupitiwala Indoor Stadium. By winning four championships and finishing as runners-up in two categories, the Police teams claimed the overall title. The championship victories were achieved in the following categories: Amateur Women, Amateur Men, Open Women, and Open Men. The runners-up positions were secured in the Over 40s (Men) and Over 50s (Men) categories. Outstanding individual performances included Sub-Inspector of Police A.D.W. Mendis, named Best Player in the Amateur Women’s category; Police Sergeant 6105 Viraj, Best Player in the Open Women’s category; and Police Constable 103861 P.R.V. Hashan, Best Player in the Open Men’s category. The police teams featured several senior officers with advanced volleyball skills, including Senior DIG Mr. Sajeewa Medawatte, President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Association, who competed in the Over 50s (Men) division. The Civil Defence Force finished in second place, while the Prisons Department secured third place.