Police News

Acting on information received from residents via the 119 Police Emergency Hotline, officers of the Kokkadichola Police responded to an incident reported in the Nellikadu area on 20.03.2026, where a woman was discovered inside a well along with the body of another deceased female. The rescued woman was immediately admitted to the Batticaloa Hospital for medical treatment. Preliminary investigations have identified the deceased as a resident of the Wammiadiuttu area in Thikkodi. Subsequent inquiries revealed that both women had been subjected to criminal acts on two separate occasions and subsequently thrown into the well. Based on these findings, officers of the Eastern Provincial Crime Division conducted further investigations and arrested two male suspects and one female suspect on 20.03.2026 in connection with charges of abduction, robbery, and murder. The arrested male suspects are aged 22 and 26, while the female suspect is 26 years old. Investigations have further uncovered that the victims were deceived under the pretext of being provided transportation in a three-wheeler. During the journey, they were rendered unconscious by being given a substance mixed with a beverage, after which their gold jewellery was stolen and they were thrown into a water-filled well. It has been revealed that the deceased woman had been targeted while returning from the Wellaweli area to the Palugamam Government Hospital and a bank within the Kalawanchikudi Police Division on 28.02.2026. The woman currently receiving treatment had been waiting by the roadside with her three-year-old child on 19.03.2026, intending to travel from the Vavuniya area to Batticaloa when she too fell victim to the suspects in a similar manner. The three-year-old child was later found abandoned in a paddy field in the Valakala area within the Vavuniya Police Division. Further investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects in the Batticaloa area on 22.03.2026 for the possession and disposal of stolen gold jewellery. These suspects, aged 39 and 49, are residents of the Batticaloa area. The Kokkadichola Police have obtained detention orders to hold the two primary suspects directly involved in the abduction and murder, along with the female suspect, until 27.03.2026 for further interrogation. The two suspects arrested for the possession and disposal of stolen property have been remanded until 27.03.2026. Further investigations are ongoing.

In response to a tense situation arising among certain private bus operators concerning the continuation of services following the increase in fuel prices, an adequate number of police officers have been deployed at major bus terminals on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police, in order to prevent any incidents that could disrupt public order. On the morning of 23.03.2026, two individuals who obstructed the movement of buses at the Ampara bus stand were taken into custody by officers of the Ampara Headquarters Police. The suspects have been identified as two drivers, aged 52 and 32.

01. Jaffna Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau On the afternoon of 22.03.2026, officers attached to the Jaffna Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau apprehended a suspect at a private storage facility in the Karandan Road area within the Kopai Police Division. The suspect was found in possession of 24 barrels containing 4,240 litres of diesel, 5 barrels containing 840 litres of petrol, and 2 barrels containing 390 litres of kerosene. He was subsequently produced at the Jaffna Police Station. The suspect is a 42-year-old resident of Thoppukadu. 02. Nugegoda Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau On the afternoon of 22.03.2026, a team of officers from the Nugegoda Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau arrested a suspect in the Pamunuwa area of the Maharagama Police Division for unlawfully possessing 22 litres of petrol without a valid licence. He was later handed over to the Maharagama Police Station. The suspect is a 44-year-old resident of the Pamunuwa area. 03. Nittambuwa Police Station On the evening of 22.03.2026, officers from the Nittambuwa Police Station took into custody a suspect who was in possession of 146 litres of petrol without a licence at a retail outlet in the Pamunuwa area of Kammalpitiya, Nittambuwa. The suspect is a 56-year-old resident of the Pasyala area. 04. Norwood Police Station On the evening of 22.03.2026, a team of officers from the Norwood Police Station apprehended a suspect who was found with 565 litres of diesel at a shop located in the Venturewatte area of Norwood. The suspect is a 53-year-old resident of the Norwood area. 05. Minuwangoda Police Station On the afternoon of 22.03.2026, officers from the Minuwangoda Police Station arrested a suspect for possessing 20 litres of petrol at a residence in the Keenagahalanda area of Minuwangoda. The suspect is a 53-year-old resident of the Minuwangoda area.

Officers of the Police Special Task Force (STF) attached to the Mullaitivu Camp apprehended a suspect on the morning of 22.03.2026 in the Vallipunam area of the Oddusudan Reserve in Theravil, in possession of 104 teak logs. On the same day, in the early hours, STF officers from the Mankulam Camp arrested two additional suspects along with a lorry used to transport 47 teak logs in the Manawalapattamuruppu section of the Oddusudan Reserve. The three suspects, aged 38, 42, and 45, are residents of the Pudukudiyiruppu, Kilinochchi, and Melivanam areas. The timber, which had been unlawfully felled and processed after trespassing into the reserve without authorization, has been handed over to the Pudukudiyiruppu Range Forest Office and the Mankulam Police Station for further inquiries. Meanwhile, STF officers from the Iluppukkadavai Camp conducted a raid in the Mukkampan area within the Akkarayan Police Division on the evening of 20.03.2026. During the operation, a suspect was arrested in possession of 15 tractor-loads of unlicensed timber, including palu, weera, burutha, and kaluwara wood. The suspect, a 28-year-old resident of the Kilinochchi area, has been handed over to the Punareesankulam Forestry Department for onward investigation. On the same day, officers from the STF Parayanalankulam Camp arrested a suspect at the Punchikulam junction in the Madhu Police Division while he was transporting 627 pieces of burutha, kohomba, and teak timber that had been illegally cut, using a lorry. Subsequent investigations revealed that the lorry bore forged number plates. The suspect, a 51-year-old resident of the Maha Nanneriya area, has been handed over to the Madhu Range Forest Office for further legal proceedings.

On 21.03.2026, a team of officers from the Badowita Police Outpost carried out a raid in the Badowita area within the Mount Lavinia Police Division, acting on a tip-off. During the operation, a suspect was apprehended in possession of 1 kilogram and 24 grams of hashish and was subsequently handed over to the Mount Lavinia Police Station. The suspect is a 22-year-old resident of the Mount Lavinia area. Further investigations are being conducted by the Mount Lavinia Police.

A suspect was apprehended by the Central Crime Investigation Bureau on 21.03.2026 for circulating misleading information on social media. The individual had falsely claimed that there is a fuel shortage in the country, a statement deemed capable of discouraging foreign visitors, adversely affecting the tourism sector, and inciting public unrest. The suspect, a 53-year-old resident of Wattegama, is scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on 22.03.2026. Further inquiries are being carried out by the Computer Crime Investigation Division of the Central Crime Investigation Bureau.

Despite continuous Public Awareness efforts by the Sri Lanka Police regarding fraudulent activities and financial crimes carried out through the internet and modern technology, the number of complaints reported in relation to such scams is steadily increasing. Investigations have revealed that fraudsters are exploiting the names of well-known and trusted institutions within the country. The Sri Lanka Police has identified several deceptive methods currently being used by these individuals. In many instances, fraudsters impersonate representatives of reputable institutions and persuade individuals to install specific Mobile Applications to access services purportedly offered by those institutions. During this process, victims are instructed to share their mobile phone screens under the pretext of receiving assistance with the installation. Through this method, fraudsters gain remote access to the victim’s mobile device, enabling them to carry out unauthorized financial transactions via online Banking Applications and transfer funds to other accounts. It has been observed that a lack of technical awareness among the public is a primary factor contributing to these incidents. Therefore, the Sri Lanka Police strongly advises the public to remain vigilant and adhere to the following  precautions: Exercise extreme caution regarding social media advertisements promoting “various income opportunities” or “high-return investment schemes,” as these are often designed to deceive individuals by initially offering small profits to gain trust before defrauding larger sums of money. Do not disclose bank account details, passwords, or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) received via mobile devices to any third party under any circumstances. Reputable banks or financial institutions will never request such confidential information over the phone or through unofficial channels. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or installing applications provided by unknown individuals. Always verify the authenticity of such requests and be cautious when granting application permissions. Refrain from sharing your mobile phone screen with unfamiliar persons, especially upon their request. If you suspect that you have been a victim of financial fraud, immediately notify your bank or relevant financial institution and take necessary steps to secure your accounts. The Sri Lanka Police kindly requests the public to remain informed and take proactive measures to safeguard themselves against such fraudulent activities.

The Sri Lanka Police has observed that a message circulating on social media falsely claims to be “an awareness campaign issued by the Sri Lanka Police Department.” This post is currently being widely shared across various social media platforms. The Sri Lanka Police wishes to inform the public that any official awareness campaign or public notice is issued exclusively through the Police Media Division and released to the media as an official press statement under the appropriate heading. In addition, information intended for public awareness is regularly published through the official Facebook page and YouTube channel of the Sri Lanka Police, which provide verified updates and announcements on a daily basis. The Sri Lanka Police is currently taking the necessary steps to investigate whether the dissemination of such misleading information by certain individuals or groups falsely presented as official communication from the Police is a deliberate and organized act. The public is kindly requested to exercise caution, understanding, and sound judgment when viewing or sharing such content on social media.

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.