Police News

The Sri Lanka Police wish to alert the public to the increasing number of financial scams carried out through social media platforms by fraudsters who impersonate police officers using stolen or fabricated photographs and fake online profiles. The Police continue to receive numerous complaints regarding financial fraud committed through such deceptive methods. Although investigations have led to the arrest of several suspects and repeated public awareness campaigns have been conducted, many individuals continue to fall victim to these scams. Current investigations have revealed an increase in cyber-enabled financial frauds in which criminals create fake WhatsApp, Telegram, and other social media accounts displaying photographs of police officers or falsely claiming to represent the Sri Lanka Police and other government institutions. The Sri Lanka Police urge the public to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the following fraudulent tactics: • Receiving telephone calls to your landline or mobile phone from individuals falsely claiming to represent the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), or other Sri Lanka Police investigation units. • Receiving false claims that your National Identity Card has been used to commit fraud, that a bank account or credit card has been opened in your name, that you have defaulted on payments, or that your bank account has been linked to money laundering or other criminal activities. • Being threatened with legal action while fraudsters claim that a confidential investigation is underway and offer to “assist” you by sending fake police identity cards, official documents, badges, or photographs through WhatsApp or other social media platforms. • Being instructed to disclose One-Time Passwords (OTPs), banking credentials, passwords, or other confidential information under the pretext of verifying your identity, unlocking a frozen account, or resolving an investigation. • Being pressured to transfer money to unfamiliar bank accounts or purchase and transfer cryptocurrency, including USDT, as part of a supposed investigation or verification process.  Protecting Your Personal and Financial Information The Sri Lanka Police advise the public to observe the following precautions: • No government institution or private organisation will request your National Identity Card number, bank account details, debit or credit card number, CVV, PIN, password, or One-Time Password (OTP) over the telephone, WhatsApp, or any social media platform. Any request for such information should be treated as fraudulent. • Do not transfer money because of threats claiming that your bank account has been frozen, your card has been blocked, or legal proceedings are about to be initiated against you. • Before transferring funds to any unfamiliar individual or account, contact your bank directly using its official telephone number to verify the request. • The Sri Lanka Police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka do not conduct official investigations through personal WhatsApp accounts or request members of the public to deposit money into personal bank accounts.  • Official notifications are issued through formal written correspondence, and where necessary, police officers will visit in person while on official duty. • Documents, letters, identity cards, or notices received via WhatsApp or other social media platforms bearing the logos, names, signatures, or seals of government institutions may be forged. If you receive such material, report it immediately to your nearest police station. • If you have any doubts regarding the authenticity of a communication, contact the relevant institution using the official telephone number published on its website. • Avoid clicking on suspicious internet links, downloading unknown files, or scanning QR codes shared by unknown persons or social media groups.   Reporting Financial Scams The Sri Lanka Police do not charge any fees for conducting criminal investigations or providing police services. Members of the public who receive suspicious calls or messages, or who become victims of such fraudulent activities, are requested to report the matter immediately using the following contact numbers: Computer Crime Investigation Division • 011 2300756 Members of the public may also visit the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in person to lodge a written complaint. The Sri Lanka Police kindly request all media institutions to provide wide publicity to this advisory in order to raise public awareness and help prevent financial fraud. Press Conference

The Information Technology Division of the Sri Lanka Police has launched a dedicated website to facilitate traffic management during the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya Esala Perahera, enabling devotees travelling to Kataragama between 15 July and 30 July 2026 to conveniently locate available vehicle parking facilities. Throughout the Perahera period, the website will be updated in real time to display the availability of parking spaces. It also integrates with Google Maps to guide motorists via the most convenient and least congested routes to the nearest parking areas with available capacity. In addition, the platform provides the locations and contact numbers of key emergency service points, integrated with Google Maps, allowing users to quickly access assistance whenever required. The initiative is expected to improve traffic flow in the Kataragama area, reduce congestion, and minimise inconvenience to devotees and other road users during the festival. The website can be accessed at: www.perahera.police.lk

To educate the public on the special Dengue Prevention initiatives and Legal Enforcement measures jointly implemented by the Sri Lanka Police and the Health Authorities to curb the spread of dengue across the country Island-wide. As Sri Lanka faces an increased risk of a rapid spread of dengue fever, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Inspectors, and the Sri Lanka Police have launched a series of special island wide dengue prevention and control programs to mitigate the situation. The Inspector General of Police has instructed the Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of all police stations to actively engage the public through the Public Security Committees established across the 48 police divisions. These committees are tasked with conducting community awareness campaigns, cleanliness drives, and law enforcement activities aimed at preventing the spread of dengue. Police officers have been directed to carry out these responsibilities with the utmost commitment and dedication. The public is hereby informed that strict legal action will be taken against individuals who maintain premises in an unsanitary condition that facilitates mosquito breeding or creates potential mosquito breeding sites. Such offenders will be prosecuted under Section 262 of the Penal Code. In addition, under the Mosquito Prevention Act, No. 11 of 2007, health authorities are legally empowered to issue Red Notices to owners or occupants of premises where mosquito breeding sites or conditions conducive to mosquito breeding are identified. Any person who fails to comply with the directions specified in a Red Notice within the stipulated period is liable, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of Rs. 25,000 under Section 6 of the Act. It is also regrettable to note that 4,672 cases have already been instituted before the Courts between January and June 2026 against individuals who failed to maintain their premises and surrounding environments in a manner that prevents mosquito breeding. The loss of even a single life leaves an irreplaceable void not only within a family but also throughout society. To ensure that no family has to endure such a tragedy, parents, guardians, and every member of the community need to remain vigilant and give greater priority to the safety and well-being of all children and the wider public. The Sri Lanka Police therefore earnestly urge the public to cooperate with the relevant authorities by maintaining clean surroundings, eliminating mosquito breeding sites, and strictly adhering to all dengue prevention measures. Collective responsibility and public participation are essential to successfully combat dengue and safeguard the health of the nation.