'Rata Ma Ekata' Anti-Drug Operation Sees Over 150,000 Arrests in Six Months

The 'Rata Ma Ekata' national anti-drug operation has now seen a cumulative total of 163,197 individuals arrested for drug-related incidents over the past six months (October 2025 to April 2026). During this period, 2,719 suspects have been placed under detention orders, and illegal asset investigations have been initiated against 289 individuals. Police seizures during this timeframe include 1,932 kg of heroin, 1,985 kg of crystal methamphetamine (ice), and 271 kg of cocaine.

New operations conducted on April 25th under the 'Rata Ma Ekata' anti-drug initiative resulted in the arrest of 874 individuals nationwide. Cumulatively, since the operation began on October 30, 2025, a total of 156,456 suspects have been arrested as of April 23, 2026. During this period, police have conducted 157,423 raids, seizing substantial quantities of narcotics including 1,917 kg and 309 g of heroin, 1,979 kg and 622 g of crystal methamphetamine (ice), 271 kg and 396 g of cocaine, 5,158 kg and 874 g of cannabis, and 7,903,470 cannabis plants.

The 'Rata Ma Ekata' national anti-drug operation, which commenced on October 30, 2025, has led to the arrest of a cumulative total of 154,599 suspects on drug charges over the past six months. During this period, 2,606 individuals have been placed under detention orders, and assets belonging to 282 individuals have been frozen. The cumulative arrests include 50,918 for heroin, 58,376 for ice, 35,326 for cannabis, and 10,183 for cocaine and kush, according to the Sri Lanka Police Anti-Narcotics Bureau.