Police News

The Colombo District Crime Division, which is conducting investigations into the fatal shooting of Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias “Ganemulla Sanjeewa,” inside Courtroom No. 05 of the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on 19.02.2025, has arrested a suspect identified as “Gampaha Osman” for allegedly aiding and facilitating the crime. The arrest was made on the night of 13.05.2026 in the Sri Bodhi Road area within the Gampaha Police Division. According to information uncovered during the interrogation of suspects currently held under detention orders in connection with the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, it has been revealed that the suspect known as Gampaha Osman had allegedly orchestrated the killing in collaboration with organized criminal elements operating from overseas. Investigations have further disclosed the commission of offences including criminal conspiracy to commit murder, supplying the firearm used in the crime, and assisting and abetting the murder. At the time of arrest, the suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed foreign-manufactured repeater-type firearm, along with 10 live rounds of ammunition and 02 cartridges. Further investigations into the incident and other individuals who assisted or supported the crime are being carried out by the Colombo District Crime Division.

Officers of the Ambalantota Police and the Tangalle Divisional Crime Investigation Unit, who were investigating the brutal murder in which a resident of a house near Mamadala Junction in the Ambalantota Police Division was shot and dismembered on the night of 11.05.2026, have arrested three suspects in connection with the incident. It was further reported that the head of the victim was placed on a statue at Mamadala Junction after the killing. One suspect was arrested by the Ambalantota Police on 12.05.2026, while the remaining two suspects were taken into custody by the Tangalle Divisional Crime Investigation Unit on the same day. All suspects are residents of the Ambalantota area. Investigations have revealed that the murder was carried out in retaliation for a triple homicide reported in the Mamadala area of Aalagoda on 02.02.2025. It was also reported that the victim’s father-in-law, who was assaulted during the incident, is currently receiving treatment at Hambantota Hospital.

1. Midigama Police Station – 33 Foreign Nationals Arrested Officers attached to the Midigama Police Station arrested 33 foreign nationals who were staying at a tourist hotel in the Pinwatta area within the Midigama Police Division on the night of 11 May 2026. The suspects comprise 28 Indian nationals and 5 Nepalese nationals, aged between 25 and 35 years. They were taken into custody on suspicion of remaining in the country without valid visas, engaging in employment while holding tourist visas, possessing duty-free cigarettes, and committing offences under the Computer Crimes Act. Further investigations are being conducted by the Midigama Police. — 2. Police Special Task Force Akmeemana Camp – 56 Suspects Arrested On 11 May 2026, officers from the Police Special Task Force Akmeemana Camp arrested 55 foreign nationals and one hotel owner at a lodging establishment in the Dodanduwa area of the Hikkaduwa Police Station division. The arrested foreign nationals include 35 Indian nationals and 20 Nepalese nationals. They were apprehended on suspicion of involvement in offences under the Computer Crimes Act. During the operation, officers seized 25 computers, 119 mobile phones, Rs. 750,000 in cash, a motor car, and a jeep. The foreign suspects are between 20 and 48 years of age. The arrested hotel owner is a 43-year-old resident of Dodanduwa and is alleged to have knowingly provided accommodation to the suspects. Further investigations are being carried out by the Hikkaduwa Police. — 3. Galle Police Station – 110 Foreign Nationals Arrested On 11 May 2026, officers from the Galle Police Station carried out two coordinated raids in the Galwadugoda and Sri Sumedha Mawatha areas within the Galle Police Division. During these operations, 110 Indian nationals staying at two lodging establishments were arrested on suspicion of involvement in offences under the Computer Crimes Act. The suspects are between 19 and 35 years of age. Police also took into custody 58 computers and 79 mobile phones. Further investigations are continuing under the direction of the Galle Police. — 4. Galle Port Police Station – 23 Foreign Nationals Arrested On 11 May 2026, officers from the Galle Port Police Station arrested 23 foreign nationals in operations conducted in the Magalla and Sambodhi Junction areas within the Galle Port Police Division. The suspects include 19 Indian nationals and 4 Nepalese nationals and were apprehended on suspicion of committing offences under the Computer Crimes Act. The individuals arrested are between 21 and 47 years of age. Police seized 10 computers and 32 mobile phones from their possession. Further investigations are being conducted by the Galle Port Police.  

Sri Lanka Police has taken into custody the individual suspected of transporting the gunman involved in the fatal shooting of Police Inspector D. Balendrasinghe, who was actively engaged in operations targeting organized crime. Police Inspector Balendrasinghe was shot and killed by an unidentified assailant on 9 October 2023 in the Karagoda area of Galle. The suspect, a 38-year-old resident of Meetiyagoda, was arrested by the Central Crime Investigation Bureau on 9 May 2026 and is currently being detained and questioned. He was initially taken into custody on charges of possessing crystal methamphetamine (“Ice”). During subsequent investigations, officers recovered the following items concealed in a cinnamon estate in the Kiralagahawela area of Meetiyagoda on 11 May 2026: * One T-56 assault rifle* Fifteen live rounds of ammunition* One spent cartridge casing The suspect remains under detention orders while investigators examine whether the recovered firearm was used in the murder of Police Inspector D. Balendrasinghe. Further investigations are being conducted by officers of the Central Crime Investigation Bureau.

In accordance with a joint decision taken by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka, and other stakeholders in the insurance sector, insurance companies have commenced issuing **Digital Motor Insurance Cards in place of printed motor insurance certificates with effect from 1 May 2026. Accordingly, the Inspector General of Sri Lanka Police has issued the necessary instructions and directives to all police stations across the country. Methods of Issuing Motor Insurance Policies Motor insurance policies may now be provided to policyholders through the following methods: * Digital Motor Insurance Card * Printed Insurance Certificate (issued only upon the request of the policyholder) * Digital Insurance Card via Mobile Application provided by the relevant insurance company National Insurance Verification System In parallel with the implementation of the digital motor insurance system, the National Insurance Verification System has been introduced to enable the public and law enforcement authorities to verify the validity of motor insurance policies instantly. 1. USSD Verification – *1338# By dialing *1338# from any mobile phone: * Enter the vehicle registration number or insurance certificate number. * The current status of the relevant insurance policy will be displayed immediately. 2. SMS Verification – 1338 * Send the vehicle registration number or insurance certificate number via SMS to 1338.* You will receive an instant reply confirming whether the insurance policy is active. 3. Hotline Verification – 1338 * Call 1338.* Follow the voice prompts and select the relevant insurance company.* You will be connected to the customer service division of the selected insurer.* Provide the vehicle registration number or insurance policy number.* The insurance company will confirm whether the policy is valid. Correct Format for Entering Vehicle Registration Numbers When entering a vehicle registration number via USSD or SMS: * Use the prefix, followed by a hyphen, and the four-digit registration number.* Do not include spaces between letters or numbers.* If the registration contains “Sri,” enter it as *SRI* in English capital letters. Examples: * 311-1234* CC-1234* CCC-1234* 1-SRI-1234 Benefits of the New Verification System The above methods enable users to instantly verify whether a motor vehicle’s insurance policy is valid. The SMS service provides a particularly convenient method for obtaining this information. No charges will be imposed for calls or SMS messages sent to the short code 1338. Temporary Insurance Cover Although insurance companies have begun issuing digital insurance cards, the issuance of temporary insurance cover remains valid for the time being. It is anticipated that temporary insurance cover notes will be discontinued in the future. Until such time, all temporary insurance documents will continue to be recognized as valid. Validity of Previously Issued Insurance Certificates Although only digital insurance cards are issued from 1 May 2026, all printed motor insurance certificates issued prior to that date will remain valid until the expiry dates specified on those documents. When a Driver Cannot Produce the Digital Card If a driver is unable to display the digital insurance card on a mobile device, the validity of the insurance can still be verified by: * Producing a printed copy of the digital insurance card, or * Using the USSD, SMS, or hotline verification methods outlined above. Legal Recognition of Digital Insurance Cards In terms of Section 3 of Part II of the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006, digital motor insurance cards carry the same legal validity and enforceability as printed documents. Their acceptance, legal effect, and validity cannot be denied solely because they are in electronic form.

Sri Lanka Police has obtained a 72-hour detention order to question a suspect known by the alias **Batuwatte Chamara, who is alleged to have been involved in several serious organized crimes, including contract killings and large-scale drug trafficking. The suspect was apprehended in a joint intelligence-led operation conducted in Azerbaijan by the State Intelligence Service and Azerbaijan’s State Security Service. Following his arrest, the suspect was repatriated to Sri Lanka on **10 May 2026** by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department through diplomatic coordination and was subsequently handed over to the Colombo Crimes Division for further investigation. The suspect is a 48-year-old resident of Ja-Ela. * The suspect is alleged to have maintained close associations with organized crime figures Ganemulla Sanjeewa, Kehelbaddara Padme, and Commando Salintha, and to have engaged in illicit activities including narcotics trafficking. * On 6 December 2020, excise officers arrested four suspects and seized four vehicles transporting 100 kilograms of heroin and **100 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (“Ice”). Investigators allege that Batuwatte Chamara arranged for the narcotics to be smuggled into Sri Lanka and directed the operation from Dubai. * Investigations indicate that he orchestrated the fatal shooting of an individual within the Grandpass Police Division on 31 December 2023, allegedly in connection with a dispute related to drug trafficking. * He is also suspected of masterminding the shooting on 25 July 2024in the Grandpass Police Division, in which a woman and a three-wheeler driver were killed. * Further investigations have linked him to the shooting attack carried out on 13 December 2024 at a residence belonging to an organized criminal on Veedi Mawatha, Kandana, within the Kandana Police Division. Authorities believe the attack was executed by associates acting under his instructions. Detention Order – The Colombo Crimes Division has secured a 72-hour detention order to interrogate the suspect in connection with the above allegations and related criminal offences. Further investigations are ongoing.

A team of officers attached to the Okkampitiya Police apprehended two suspects on the morning of 02.05.2026 while they were transporting 190 kg and 180 g of cannabis in a cab from Maligawila towards Okkampitiya. The suspects, aged 35 and 39, are residents of Thanamalwila. The Okkampitiya Police have commenced further investigations to verify the identities of the suspects and to identify any individuals who may have assisted or facilitated the offence.

Police Media Spokesperson ASP Mr. Fredrick Wootler delivered a lecture at the inaugural Global Conference on Public Communication, organized by the International Police (INTERPOL).  During his presentation, he outlined the challenges faced by Sri Lanka in tackling transnational organized crime and highlighted effective strategies to combat such threats. The conference, held in Lyon, France, brought together senior law enforcement officials from numerous countries. It commenced on 28.04.2026 and concluded on 30.04.2026.

Twenty-two individuals dressed as Buddhist monks have been arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, while attempting to smuggle a large quantity of narcotics into the country. The operation was conducted based on intelligence received by officers attached to the Airport Unit of the PNB. The information indicated that a group posing as monks would be transporting illegal drugs on a flight arriving from Bangkok on 25.04.2026. Acting on this intelligence, PNB officers detained the 22 suspects along with their luggage at the airport premises. During a thorough search carried out in coordination with Customs officials, the following narcotics were recovered: *101 kilograms and 768 grams of Kush*10 kilograms and 812 grams of Hashish The apprehended suspects, Sri Lankan nationals aged between 20 and 30, had allegedly made careful and organized attempts to smuggle the drugs into the country. The Police Narcotics Bureau has launched a comprehensive investigation to identify the key individuals orchestrating this operation and to determine any links to organized drug trafficking networks within the country.

The Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr. Fredrick Wootler, left for France this morning, following an invitation to attend the First Global Conference for Public Communication organized by the INTERPOL. During this conference, the Media Spokesperson is scheduled to deliver a special Presentation on how the Sri Lanka Police operated to ensure public safety and welfare during recent disaster situations that occurred in the country. Mr. Wootler marks a milestone as the first Sri Lankan Police Media Spokesperson to be invited to deliver a special lecture at such an international police conference. The conference is scheduled to be held from April 28 to April 30, 2026, in Lyon, France.