Sri Lanka Police have conducted extensive island-wide operations focused on crime and drug prevention, leading to thousands of arrests and significant drug seizures across various dates. These initiatives, part of ongoing efforts like the 'Nation United - National Drive' campaign, have seen police inspect tens of thousands of individuals and initiate legal action against a wide range of offenders.
Key Operations and Arrests:
* February 2: Operations led to the arrest of 512 individuals after inspecting 29,033 persons. This included 10 linked to criminal activities, 222 warrant suspects, 136 with open warrants, 115 for driving under the influence (DUI), and 110 for reckless driving. Legal action was initiated against 4,498 for other offenses.
* April 2: A total of 512 individuals were arrested, comprising 10 linked to criminal activities, 222 warrant suspects, 136 with open warrants, 115 for DUI, and 110 for reckless driving.
* April 3: Police operations resulted in 592 arrests, with 4 identified for criminal activities, 229 warrant suspects, 121 with open warrants, 142 for DUI, and 77 for reckless driving. Additionally, 4,486 were arrested for other traffic offenses.
* April 4: Anti-narcotics operations under the 'Nation United - National Drive' campaign led to 906 arrests, with 12 individuals under illegal assets probes and 15 detained under detention orders. Separately, 592 individuals were arrested on suspicion in crime and drug prevention efforts, with 4 identified for direct criminal activities.
* April 7: Crime and drug prevention efforts resulted in 585 arrests. On this day, 4,301 individuals were also arrested for various traffic and other offenses, including 69 for reckless driving.
* April 9: Following the inspection of 28,837 individuals, 763 were arrested in crime and drug prevention initiatives. Among them were 27 directly linked to criminal activities, 240 warrant suspects, 165 with open warrants, 132 for DUI, and 78 for reckless driving.
* April 14: 296 individuals were arrested on suspicion during crime and drug prevention initiatives after inspecting 22,195 persons. This included 7 linked to criminal activities, 43 warrant suspects, 26 with open warrants, 104 for DUI, 27 for reckless driving, and 1,451 for other traffic offenses.
* April 15: Operations targeting drug supply and crime prevention involved 485 raids, leading to 489 arrests. One suspect was detained under a detention order, and another is under investigation for illegal assets. Authorities seized 155g of heroin, 221g of ice, and 179g of mawa.
* April 16: 461 suspects were arrested during crime and drug prevention initiatives after inspecting 24,441 individuals. Arrests included 27 linked to criminal activities, 148 warrant suspects, 102 with open warrants, 161 for DUI, 49 for reckless driving, and 3,058 for other traffic offenses.
* April 18: 495 individuals were arrested during crime and drug prevention initiatives, following the inspection of 26,560 persons. Among them were 19 linked to criminal activities, 173 warrant suspects, 102 with open warrants, 132 for DUI, 49 for reckless driving, and 3,453 for other traffic offenses.
* April 19: Following the inspection of 26,600 individuals, 608 were arrested in crime and drug prevention initiatives. This included 26 directly linked to criminal activities, 164 for day warrants, and 98 with open warrants.
* April 20: 654 raids led to the arrest of 632 suspects in drug supply disruption and rehabilitation efforts. One suspect was detained under a detention order, and five are under investigation for illegal assets. Seizures included 332g of heroin, 473g of ice, 6.401kg of kush, and 592 narcotic pills. Separately, 25,683 individuals were inspected during crime and drug prevention initiatives, resulting in 396 arrests. Of these, 25 were directly linked to criminal activities, 282 were warrant suspects (191 day warrants, 91 open warrants), 67 for DUI, 51 for reckless driving, and 3,332 for other traffic offenses.
* April 24: Special island-wide operations resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals directly linked to criminal activities. Police inspected 29,818 persons, arresting 235 day warrant holders and 206 with open warrants.
Overall Drug Prevention Report (October 30, 2023 – April 19, 2026):
Police released a comprehensive report detailing drug prevention operations over this period, highlighting significant seizures:
* Over 1418 kg of heroin
* Over 1975 kg of ice
* Over 271 kg of cocaine
* 5112 kg of ganja
* 7,358,652 ganja plants
* 316 kg of kush