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Recent Law Enforcement Operations Yield Significant Arrests Across Sri Lanka
The Pulse
CrimeHOT19h ago

Recent Law Enforcement Operations Yield Significant Arrests Across Sri Lanka

5 Updates

Update #6\u00b7 Apr 1 · 5:01 PM

New details regarding the March 31 deep-sea drug bust confirm that the narcotics were transferred from an Iranian vessel to the local multi-day fishing vessel, identified as 'Ave Maria'. The vessel had departed from Wellamankada Fisheries Port on February 4th, and the six fishermen apprehended were aware of the drug transport, having been promised Rs. 10 million each by traffickers. Separately, six Sri Lankan fishermen who were held in Bangladesh's Chittagong Central Prison for 8 months after being arrested on July 16, 2025, for violating Bangladeshi maritime borders on the vessel 'Sudu Duwa 4', have been released and are expected to return to Sri Lanka tomorrow.

Update #5\u00b7 Apr 1 · 11:47 AM

New details confirm the two Chinese nationals arrested at BIA Katunayake with illegal foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 17.7 million are aged 36 and 37. Additionally, an STF raid in Kalmunai led to the discovery of 16 rounds of T56 ammunition.

Update #4\u00b7 Apr 1 · 9:33 AM

New details confirm the March 31 deep-sea bust involved over 300 kilograms of heroin worth Rs. 6.2 billion. Other operations on March 31 include the arrest of two individuals in Wellampitiya with 2.938 kg of 'Ice' and three suspects in Kotahena with 63,000 drug pills. Additionally, two Chinese nationals were arrested at BIA Katunayake with Rs. 17.7 million worth of foreign cigarettes, and nationwide police operations on March 31 resulted in 917 drug-related arrests and 627 arrests for various crimes.

Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies have conducted a series of operations resulting in multiple arrests and seizures across the island in recent days. On March 31, the Sri Lanka Navy intercepted a multi-day fishing trawler in southwestern waters, apprehending six suspects and seizing a consignment of suspected narcotics. Separately, police arrested two major drug traffickers in Negombo on March 30 following a shootout, which left one officer injured, and also apprehended four underworld figures in Mitiyagoda on March 29, recovering a revolver and heroin. The Navy further seized 468 kilograms of smuggled Kendu leaves in Puttalam, while two individuals were arrested in Weliweriya on March 30 for a dangerous three-wheeler stunt captured in a viral video. These actions underscore ongoing efforts to combat various forms of crime nationwide.

In a separate development on the night of March 31, officers from the Kelaniya Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau arrested a 28-year-old suspect from Tangalle on the Colombo-Kandy road. The individual was wanted on multiple warrants and had previously escaped from the Tangalle police cell on January 7, 2026, where he was held for drug possession. Police stated he has seven pending cases in the Tangalle Magistrate's Court.

Further details have emerged regarding the March 31st deep-sea drug bust by the Sri Lanka Navy. The multi-day fishing trawler, along with the six suspects and the suspected drug consignment, was brought ashore to the Dikowita fishing harbor on April 1, 2026, for further investigation.

Following the inspection at Dikkowita Harbour on April 1, the suspected narcotics from the March 31 deep-sea bust were confirmed to be heroin. Over 300 kilograms of heroin, contained in 298 packages, were discovered on board the vessel, which was intercepted off Beruwala. The street value of the seized heroin is estimated to be over Rs. 6 billion. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda confirmed these details, noting that the operation was based on international intelligence.

In other law enforcement actions on March 31:

  • A 35-year-old resident of Kochchikade was arrested in the Daluwakotuwa area for possessing 150 litres of diesel without a valid permit. The arrest was made by the Negombo Division Crime Investigation Unit.
  • The Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested two individuals, aged 58 and 48, in Wellampitiya for transporting 2.938 kilograms of 'Ice' (crystal methamphetamine) in a three-wheeler. Investigations revealed the suspects obtained the drugs from an organized criminal known as Mahawatte Chamara.

Further details on the March 31 deep-sea drug bust indicate the seized heroin's street value is approximately Rs. 6.2 billion. The 298 parcels of heroin were found concealed in 19 sacks on board the vessel.

In additional law enforcement operations:

  • On an unspecified date, two Chinese nationals were arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Katunayake for attempting to smuggle 118,000 foreign cigarettes, valued at Rs. 17.7 million, from Bangkok, Thailand.
  • On March 31, the Police Special Task Force (STF) operation in Wellampitiya led to the arrest of two individuals, aged 58 and 48, residents of Mahawatta (Colombo 14) and Maligawatta (Colombo 10), who were transporting 2.938 kilograms of 'Ice' in a three-wheeler.
  • On March 31 morning, Kotahena Police arrested three individuals on St. Lucia Street, Kotahena, for transporting 63,000 drug pills with an estimated value of Rs. 16.3 million. The pills were cleverly hidden among incense stick boxes in a cab, which was also seized. Investigations suggest the pills were smuggled from India to Kalpitiya by boat.

Nationwide police operations on March 31 under the "Rata Ma Ekata" (Country Together) program resulted in 917 drug-related arrests, with 17 suspects detained for questioning and 4 referred for rehabilitation. These operations included:

  • 278 heroin raids
  • 364 'Ice' raids
  • 71 raids for other drugs including pills, kush, and hashish
  • Seizure of 197 grams of ganja

Overall, on March 31, police questioned 27,444 individuals regarding crime and drugs, leading to 627 arrests on suspicion. This also included 168 drunk drivers, 82 reckless drivers, and 4,612 arrests for other traffic offenses.

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