Police News

With effect from 19 June 2026, the wearing of safety seat belts has become mandatory for all drivers and passengers travelling on expressways throughout the country. The Expressway Division of the Sri Lanka Police will closely monitor compliance with this regulation, which has been introduced under the National Road Safety Program implemented by the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development. To educate the public on the new requirement, an awareness campaign was conducted at the Kottawa Expressway Interchange on 16 and 17 June 2026 with the participation of internationally acclaimed Racing Champion Mr. Dilantha Malagamuwa. During the program, informational leaflets carrying the theme “A Click for Your Loved Ones” were distributed among drivers and passengers using the expressway. The campaign highlighted the importance of wearing seat belts from 19 June 2026 and encouraged road users to drive responsibly for their own safety and the protection of their loved ones. Accordingly, the three-month grace period granted to motorists and passengers to familiarize themselves with the seat belt regulation has now expired. Legal action will be taken against individuals who fail to comply with the law after 19 September 2026. The prescribed penalty for violating the seat belt regulation is a fine of Rs. 1,000. In accordance with the relevant legal provisions, the vehicle owner, driver, and passenger may each be held liable and subjected to the prescribed penalty for non-compliance. While the use of seat belts is already mandatory for drivers and front-seat passengers travelling on ordinary roads, this regulation requires all occupants of vehicles travelling on expressways to wear seat belts at all times. The awareness program was attended by National People’s Power Colombo District Member of Parliament Mr. Devananda Suraweera and Mr. R.A.D. Kahatapitiya, Deputy Director General of the Expressway Operations, Maintenance and Management Division of the Road Development Authority.

1st International Conference on Transnational Crime and Social Protection 2026 press conference

press conference

Two high-profile suspects allegedly involved in organized criminal activities, who were apprehended by the security authorities in Dubai and subsequently deported to Sri Lanka, were arrested by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, on the night of 13 June 2026. Following their arrest, arrangements were made to hand over the suspects to the Central Crime Investigation Bureau and the Colombo Central Crime Investigation Division for further inquiries and legal proceedings. The first suspect, who was handed over to the Central Crime Investigation Bureau, is a 25-year-old resident of Colombo 15. Significantly, his photograph had been incorporated into the advanced automated facial recognition system installed at the Katunayake Airport terminal since March 2025. Investigations have revealed that he is the younger brother of an organized crime figure and drug trafficker known as “Modara Nipuna,” who is currently residing overseas. According to police records, the suspect was arrested by the Pamunugama Police in 2019 for possession of cannabis and again in 2020 for allegedly assaulting an individual with a blunt object and a sharp weapon within the Modara Police Division. He had also been evading a warrant issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court No. 04 since November 2022. The second suspect, who was handed over to the Colombo Central Crime Investigation Division, is a 40-year-old resident of Colombo 14. Investigations have identified him as a notorious criminal allegedly involved in a range of serious offences, including murder and drug trafficking. He has previously been produced before court in connection with an assault incident reported in Ganemulla in 2010 and for possession of heroin following an arrest in Kelaniya. Furthermore, he has been identified as a principal suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred in Colombo in 2015 and has also been indicted before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly aiding and abetting the shooting attack on a prison transport bus in Maligawatta in 2016. Additionally, the suspect surrendered to the Terrorism Investigation Division through legal counsel in 2016 along with a firearm and ammunition. He was subsequently remanded and later released on bail. Investigations have further linked him to a grave shooting incident reported within the Grandpass Police Division in 2018, in which one individual was killed and three others sustained serious injuries. Further investigations into both suspects are being conducted jointly by the Central Crime Investigation Bureau and the Colombo North Crime Investigation Division.

press conference

Officers of the Central Crime Investigation Bureau, who launched an investigation into an incident involving counterfeit U.S. dollar notes found in the possession of an individual, conducted a raid on a residence in the Kotikawatta area of the Mulleriyawa Police Division on 08.06.2026. During the operation, a woman was arrested in possession of 6,300 counterfeit $100 banknotes. Following an extensive investigation, authorities were able to establish the identity of the 53-year-old suspect. Investigations have revealed that she had attempted to sell these counterfeit notes to various individuals within the premises of well-known hotels across the island at prices significantly lower than the prevailing exchange value. It has further been disclosed that she initially supplied genuine U.S. dollar notes to potential buyers in order to gain their trust. After establishing credibility, she allegedly began circulating counterfeit currency and continued the fraudulent scheme. The suspect is a 53-year-old resident of the Kotikawatta area. The Central Crime Investigation Bureau is continuing further investigations into the alleged financial fraud and related money laundering activities.

A residence located in the N. M. Perera Mawatha area within the Borella Police Division was searched on the morning of 05.06.2026, as part of an investigation carried out by officers of the Financial and Commercial Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department. During the operation, two suspects were taken into custody along with two original files containing copies of deeds obtained from the Land Registrar’s Office, forged land-related documents, four counterfeit national identity cards, and approximately 600 falsified official seals. Several electronic devices allegedly used in the preparation of forged documentation were also seized. In addition, a car, a motorcycle, and Rs. 1.5 million in cash, suspected to have been utilized in connection with the illegal activities, were taken into police custody. A further suspect linked to the incident was subsequently arrested in the Delkanda area, based on information disclosed during interrogation of the initial suspects. The suspects, aged 54, 55, and 59, are residents of Borella, Dickwella, and Horana respectively. The Financial and Commercial Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department is continuing further investigations into the matter.

Officers of the Western Province North Crime Division, following an extensive tactical investigation conducted over the past two weeks in and around the Colombo city area, recovered and took into custody 19 T-56 firearms, 19 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 15 grams and 200 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), and 100,400 pregabalin tablets, which had been concealed in a house in the Dematagoda area on 03.06.2026. The discovery of this large stockpile was initiated following the arrest of a suspect in the Ragama area on 12.05.2026, who was found in possession of 50 grams and 150 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine and 25 grams and 200 milligrams of heroin. Subsequently, another suspect was arrested in the Peliyagoda area on 18.05.2026 with 01 kilogram and 568 grams of crystal methamphetamine. Further investigations based on these arrests led police, on 22.05.2026, to seize 45 kilograms and 867 grams of crystal methamphetamine along with 07 kilograms and 325 grams of Kerala cannabis from Sri Dharmarama Mawatha in Dematagoda. No suspects were present at the location during this recovery. Thereafter, continuing inquiries enabled the Western Province North Crime Division to identify the main suspect involved in the trafficking network. He was subsequently apprehended while staying at a rented house in the Neluwa area together with a female associate. Investigations revealed that the suspect had transported the narcotics stock to Colombo from the Matara district. Acting on this information, officers proceeded to the Sultanagoda area in Matara and arrested another suspect believed to have aided and abetted the trafficking operation. It has further been disclosed that the individual who facilitated the transportation of the drug consignment to Matara, through the main suspect, is currently in remand custody at the Matara unit of the Police Narcotics Bureau for possession of 100 grams and 300 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine. Ultimately, based on information obtained during the interrogation of the suspect arrested in Neluwa regarding the concealment sites of the narcotics transported back to Colombo from Matara, officers were able to recover the aforementioned 19 T-56 firearms, 19 rounds of ammunition, 15 grams and 200 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine, and 100,400 pregabalin tablets. It is noteworthy that, through meticulous analysis of intelligence gathered over a 14-day period and the dedicated round-the-clock efforts of officers of the Western Province North Crime Division, law enforcement authorities were able to dismantle this suspected drug trafficking network and seize a significant cache of weapons and narcotics. Further investigations are ongoing to identify additional individuals linked to the transportation and concealment of these weapons and drugs.

Press Conference

Photographs and video footage depicting a motorcycle parade that allegedly violated traffic regulations during celebrations held in the Northern Province on 18 May 2026 have been widely circulated on social media platforms. The footage shows several individuals riding motorcycles without wearing safety helmets. Following intelligence-led inquiries, it was revealed that the group of motorcyclists had travelled from Puttur Junction towards Kodikamam and subsequently proceeded in the direction of Kilinochchi. Accordingly, on 19 May 2026, a team of officers attached to the Kilinochchi Police Station visited the Kerakkankaddu area in Kilinochchi to identify the registered owner of a motorcycle captured in the circulated footage. The owner of the motorcycle was located, and a statement was recorded for further investigation. Preliminary investigations have further revealed that a number of motorcyclists had gathered near the Vishwamadu Junction on 18 May 2026 and travelled along the Mullaitivu Road towards Wellamullivaikkal. Based on extensive inquiries conducted by officers attached to the Puthukkudiyiruppu Police Station to identify individuals involved in the procession and those riding without safety helmets, three suspects were arrested on 23 May 2026. In view of the ongoing investigations being conducted by law enforcement and security agencies under the relevant legal provisions, including matters relating to national security, Sri Lanka Police acknowledges the public’s vigilance in reporting and drawing attention to such incidents through photographs and video evidence. Such public cooperation plays an important role in ensuring the effective enforcement of the law. At this stage, investigations are being carried out meticulously to establish the facts, identify all individuals involved, determine the extent of any legal violations, and present the relevant evidence before the courts where appropriate. No individual will be presumed guilty until the investigation process is completed and due legal procedures have been followed. Sri Lanka Police wishes to assure the public that the law will be enforced impartially and equally, regardless of ethnicity, religion, social standing, or any other personal consideration, within every police jurisdiction across the country. The public is also requested not to be influenced by misinformation or the agendas of organized groups seeking to undermine public confidence in law enforcement authorities. Sri Lanka Police remains committed to conducting thorough, transparent, and professional investigations while upholding the rule of law and maintaining public trust.