Police News

During a raid carried out on 01.07.2026 by officers of the Colombo Central Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau in the Mattakkuliya Ferguson Road area, within the Mattakkuliya Police Division, the suspect was taken into custody with 5 kilograms and 140 grams of heroin. Officers also recovered Rs. 50,000, believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking, along with two mobile phones allegedly used for the distribution of narcotics. The suspect and the seized items were subsequently handed over to the Mattakkuliya Police Station. The arrested individual is a 40-year-old resident of Colombo 10. Further investigations are being conducted by the Colombo Central Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau under the supervision of its Officer-in-Charge, Chief Inspector J.P.O. Mahesh Kumarasinghe. Authorities note that, as part of the ongoing nationwide initiative to strengthen anti-narcotics efforts, special operations and intelligence-based investigations are continuously being carried out across the country to dismantle drug trafficking networks and curb the spread of illicit drugs, based on information received from the public.

Officers of the Nedunkeni Police arrested a suspect in possession of 78 kilograms of Kerala cannabis while transporting the narcotic in a vehicle during a roadblock operation conducted in the Periyakulam Junction area on the night of 30 June 2026. Acting on intelligence information received by the Officer-in-Charge (OIC), police officers intercepted the vehicle at a roadblock and found the stock of cannabis during a subsequent search. The suspect is a 31-year-old resident of the Pudukudiyirippu area. Further investigations are being carried out by the Nedunkeni Police.

An alleged organized crime suspect who was deported to Sri Lanka from Malaysia in the early hours of 26.06.2026 was arrested by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, and subsequently handed over to the Western Province North Crime Division for further investigation. The suspect is a 41-year-old resident of Kotugoda. The Gampaha Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau had previously obtained Interpol Red Notices against the suspect in connection with the shooting incident that occurred in front of the Gampaha Courts on 27.07.2022, during which three alleged organized crime figures, including Paspodda, were killed and two others sustained injuries. Investigations have further revealed that the suspect is a close associate of an organized crime figure who is currently in custody. A 72-hour detention order is expected to be obtained to facilitate further questioning, and investigations are being continued by the Western Province North Crime Division.

Officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau, acting on intelligence information, conducted a raid in the 6th Lane area of the Kotahena Police Division on 21.06.2026 and arrested a suspect in possession of 3 kg 944 g of crystal methamphetamine (“Ice”), 215 g of heroin, and Rs. 650,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from illicit drug trafficking. The suspect is a 26-year-old resident of the Kotahena area. The suspect was produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on 22.06.2026, where investigators obtained a seven-day detention order for further questioning. Further investigations are being carried out by the Police Narcotics Bureau.

Acting on intelligence regarding a drug trafficking network that allegedly operated through online money transfer transactions, officers conducted a raid in the Kattuwa area of the Negombo Police Division on the morning of 21.06.2026. During the operation, two suspects were apprehended and taken into custody along with 1 kg and 34 g of hashish, 7 g and 420 mg of crystal methamphetamine (ICE), 8 g and 860 mg of heroin, Rs. 351,200 suspected to be proceeds of narcotics trafficking, and two motor vehicles believed to have been used in the illicit drug trade. The suspects and seized items were handed over to the Negombo Police Station. The arrested individuals, aged 29 and 31, are residents of Mount Lavinia and Udugampola. Further investigations are being carried out by the Negombo Police.

Multi-Million Dollar Financial Fraud Uncovered; Suspect Arrested for Money Laundering via 89 Companies A suspect allegedly involved in a large-scale financial fraud operation, including money laundering through 89 shell companies, has been arrested by officers of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the Sri Lanka Police. The suspect is accused of orchestrating an extensive scheme by establishing fake companies and bank accounts, and fabricating forged documentation to unlawfully transfer Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves abroad on behalf of various individuals. The arrest was made on 19.06.2026 in the Periyamulla area within the Negombo Police Division. The arrested individual is a 35-year-old resident of Wellawatte. Subsequent in-depth investigations have revealed that the suspect allegedly deposited proceeds derived from drug trafficking into company accounts and systematically remitted the funds to overseas destinations. It has further been uncovered that he manipulated import values to evade customs duties and taxes, while channeling payments to foreign entities under the guise of fictitious import transactions. Authorities have also confirmed that assets and properties were acquired using illicit funds, constituting serious offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The investigation was initiated following a complaint submitted to the Inspector General of Police by Sri Lanka Customs. Findings indicate that between 01.01.2023 and 15.09.2025, imports were declared through 89 locally registered companies. However, it has been established that significant foreign currency transactions were carried out via the Telegraphic Transfer (TT) system through the domestic banking network without any actual importation of goods. Further investigations are being conducted by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.

A team of officers from the Homicide and Organized Crime Investigation Division of the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau (CCIB) arrested a suspect in possession of 01 kg 118 g of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”) and 750 g of heroin during a raid conducted in the Iranawila area of the Meetiyagoda Police Division on the evening of 19.06.2026. The successful operation was carried out following credible intelligence received by the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau, which led officers to uncover information related to a large-scale narcotics trafficking network. The suspect, a 32-year-old resident of the Iranawila area, was taken into custody. He is scheduled to be produced before the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court on 20.06.2026, where investigators will seek a detention order for further questioning. The Central Criminal Investigation Bureau is continuing further investigations into the incident.

The 2026 Open Karate Championship, organized by the Sri Karate Do Task Force for the selection of the 2026 National Karate Do Squad, was held on 13.06.2026 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Representing the Police Karate Team, 11 athletes competed in the championship. Among them, Sergeant U.P. J.M.R.C. Appuhami, who competed in the Kumite +84 kg category, secured third place and earned selection to the National Karate Squad. In addition, Police Constable 107216 Bandara, who competed in the Kumite -67 kg category, also claimed third place and was selected to represent the National Squad. Furthermore, the following nine officers demonstrated outstanding performances and successfully advanced to the Top 8 of their respective categories: 1. Police Constable 28912 Kariyawasam – Kumite -84 kg2. Police Constable 25497 Wijeratne – Kumite +84 kg3. Police Constable 25889 Gunasinghe – Kumite -67 kg4. Police Constable 24593 Buddhika – Kumite -84 kg5. Police Constable 27149 Chathuranga – Kumite -75 kg6. Police Constable 40540 Rohitha – Kumite -60 kg7. Police Constable 98437 Gayan – Kumite -55 kg8. Police Constable 99585 Kavindu – Kumite -55 kg9. Police Constable 107222 Gobihan – Kumite -55 kg A total of 1,800 athletes representing 450 sports clubs and associations from across the country participated in the championship, making it one of the largest karate competitions held this year. The Police Karate Association is led by Deputy Inspector General of Police Sisira Kumara as President, while Senior Superintendent of Police Sarathchandra Gunathilaka serves as Secretary. Inspector Rajivi Prasanna functions as the Team Leader, Inspector Pubudu Chathuranga as the Team Manager, and Jurampathy as the Team Coach.