Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies have significantly intensified their nationwide operations against crime, drug trafficking, and illegal activities from late March to late April 2026. These concerted efforts have led to substantial arrests, large-scale drug seizures, and the recovery of various contraband across the island, with the Sri Lanka Navy confirming the seizure of over 1,800 kg of various illicit drugs, including Ice, Heroin, Hashish, and Cocaine, from 10 local multi-day fishing vessels over the past three months, valued at over Rs. 50 billion.
Major Deep-Sea Drug Busts:
One of the most significant operations occurred on March 31, when the Sri Lanka Navy, acting on international intelligence, intercepted the multi-day fishing trawler 'Ave Maria' off Beruwala. The vessel, which had departed from Wellamankada Fisheries Port on February 4th, was found to have received narcotics from an Iranian vessel. Six suspects were apprehended, reportedly aware of the drug transport and promised Rs. 10 million each. The trawler and its consignment were brought ashore to the Dikowita fishing harbor on April 1. Following inspection, the narcotics were confirmed to be 323 kilograms of heroin, contained in 298 packages across 19 sacks, with an estimated street value of over Rs. 6.2 billion. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda confirmed that investigations revealed the consignment belonged to a large-scale drug trafficker named Disanayake from Negombo, operating from Dubai, with another trafficker, Nishantha, also involved. The six suspects were produced before the Aluth Kade No. 1 Court on April 2nd, where Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered their detention until April 7th for questioning by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB).
In a more recent development, on April 16th, the Sri Lanka Navy intercepted another multi-day fishing trawler, the 'Denuwan Putha', in the deep sea south of Sri Lanka, over 400 nautical miles from the coastline. The vessel, which had departed from Nilwella Fisheries Harbour in Matara on March 30th, had received its illicit cargo from a foreign ship. Four suspects, identified as residents of the Devinuwara area aged 24, 36, 46, and 48, were apprehended on April 17, 2026. They confessed to transporting the drugs for a contract worth Rs. 200 million. The vessel and the suspected drug sacks were brought to the Dikowita fishing harbor on April 17th, where the consignment was confirmed to be 161 kilograms of heroin, packed in six sacks, with an estimated street value of around Rs. 4 billion. The operation was conducted with the support of multiple agencies through coordinated intelligence efforts. The apprehended suspects, the trawler, and the heroin shipment were officially handed over to the PNB for further investigation. Subsequently, the owner of the 'Denuwan Putha' was also arrested by the PNB in Devundara.
In a separate major drug-related operation, on April 6th, seven suspects were ordered to be remanded until April 21st by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama. These suspects are linked to the transportation of 261 kilograms of 'ice' (crystal methamphetamine) and 115 kilograms of heroin concealed in a multi-day fishing vessel in the southern seas. Among those remanded is Wasantha Pushpakumara, identified as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) local government candidate. The PNB presented a further report to the court, and the seized drugs have been sent to the Government Analyst.
Other Significant Drug Seizures and Arrests:
* April 23: The Sri Lanka Navy recovered 1,038 kg of smuggled dried turmeric in 26 suspicious sacks during a coastal search operation in the Thillayadi beach area of Kalpitiya. The stock was handed over to Kalpitiya Police.
* April 23: The Walana Anti-Corruption Unit arrested a 49-year-old resident of Dehiwala in Rathmalana, seizing 3.15 kilograms of heroin from a house. The drugs are believed to belong to an organized criminal and drug trafficker currently hiding abroad.
* April 17: The Elpitiya Anti-Corruption Unit seized 120g of heroin, valued at Rs. 4 million, in the Ambalangoda, Devagoda area. One suspect was arrested, with the drugs reportedly prepared for distribution via the Easy Cash method in 1g packets. The illicit drugs are believed to belong to an organized criminal named Saman Kolla, who is currently abroad.
* April 8th: The Western Province North Criminal Division arrested a 40-year-old resident of Ganemulla in the Bollatha North area, seizing 12.3 kilograms of 'ice' and 9.946 kilograms of heroin, valued at over LKR 220 million. The suspect is identified as a large-scale drug trafficker and suspected network leader, with the drugs believed to belong to an organized criminal currently abroad. A motorcycle, weighing scales, and a money counting machine were also found.
* April 9th: Maradana Police arrested a 25-year-old youth in Maradana for possessing 1.22 kilograms of 'ice'.
* April 10th: A joint operation by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Arachchikattuwa Police in Arachchikattuwa, Chilaw, led to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of 21.59 grams of heroin, 39.32 grams of 'ice', narcotic pills, LKR 200,000 in cash, and a motor vehicle. The seized drugs are valued at over LKR 1.3 million.
* April 11th: The Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested three suspects in a raid targeting a drug network linked to organized crime figure 'Batuwatte Chamara', recovering 25.4 grams of 'ice', cash, and 70 narcotic pills. They were handed over to Ragama Police.
* April 11th: Deraniyagala Nuriya Police arrested two suspects with 12,120 narcotic pills valued at nearly LKR 3 million. The operation targeted a network selling pills to apparel workers and schoolchildren.
* The Monaragala Divisional Narcotics Unit recently arrested a 40-year-old resident of Buttala, seizing approximately 48 to 84 grams of heroin, two mobile phones, and a weighing scale, considered the largest stock of heroin found in Buttala recently.
* April 7th: The Northern Province Criminal Division arrested two individuals in Vishwamadu for possessing 'ice' and heroin valued at LKR 5 million.
* March 31: The Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested two individuals (58 and 48) in Wellampitiya, transporting 2.938 kilograms of 'Ice' in a three-wheeler, obtained from an organized criminal known as Mahawatte Chamara.
* March 31: 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 smuggled from India to Kalpitiya by boat.
Nationwide Police Operations on March 31 under "Rata Ma Ekata" (Country Together) program:
* 917 drug-related arrests, with 17 suspects detained for questioning and 4 referred for rehabilitation.
* These included 278 heroin raids, 364 'Ice' raids, and 71 raids for other drugs such as pills, kush, and hashish.
* 197 grams of ganja were seized.
* Overall, police questioned 27,444 individuals regarding crime and drugs, leading to 627 arrests on suspicion.
* Additionally, 168 drunk drivers, 82 reckless drivers, and 4,612 arrests for other traffic offenses were made.
Other Law Enforcement Actions:
* March 29: Police apprehended four underworld figures in Mitiyagoda, recovering a revolver and heroin.
* March 30: Police arrested two major drug traffickers in Negombo following a shootout that left one officer injured. The Navy also seized 468 kilograms of smuggled Kendu leaves in Puttalam.
* March 30: The Navy apprehended 36 individuals along with 1,750 sea cucumbers, 6 dinghies, and diving gear during a night-time search operation in the sea of Illuppukadawai, Mannar.
* 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.
* 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.
* At Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Katunayake, two Chinese nationals were arrested for attempting to smuggle 118,000 foreign cigarettes (valued at Rs. 17.7 million) from Bangkok. On April 2nd, another Chinese national was arrested with 48,000 Chinese-made cigarettes (valued at Rs. 7.2 million) from Kuala Lumpur. Also on April 2nd, nine Indonesian nationals were arrested with Rs. 1.5 million worth of electronic communication equipment, including 70 mobile phones and 8 mini computers, suspected to be for internet financial crimes.
* April 1st: The STF in Kalmunai discovered 16 rounds of T56 ammunition. In Aralaganwila, the STF arrested 12 youths for possessing 'Ice' drugs, seizing 5 motorcycles and 1 three-wheeler. The Western Province North Crime Division apprehended three individuals in Meegahawatta and Kandana for vehicle trafficking using fake documents, confiscating 3 motor cars, 2 jeeps, 1 lorry, and 1 motorcycle. The Mount Lavinia Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau, Navy, and Police K9 units conducted a 4-hour special operation in the Badovita areas of the Mount Lavinia Police Division, resulting in the arrest of 14 individuals and the seizure of 2830 mg of heroin, 3890 mg of 'Ice', 6000 mg of cannabis, and 10 drug pills. Nine of those arrested were wanted suspects. Also on April 1st, Kuruwita Police arrested a Chief Police Inspector attached to the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Deputy Inspector General's office for allegedly extorting Rs. 246,000 from a youth.
* April 2nd: Kosgama Police arrested three suspects from a three-wheeler robbery gang, recovering three stolen three-wheelers. The gang included two army deserters. Also on April 2nd, wildlife officers arrested three suspects in Bulathsinghala for trafficking a large quantity of prohibited sea shells and deer antlers. The Navy also apprehended two individuals in Kirimundalama, Kalpitiya, with 98 kg of illegally smuggled cardamom.
* April 7th: The Navy apprehended five fishermen approximately ten nautical miles off Beruwala for illegally transporting a stock of fuel (diesel), reportedly obtained from a ship.
In a separate development, 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', were released on April 1st and returned to Sri Lanka on April 2nd.