Police have arrested more than 220 foreign nationals during a series of raids carried out across several areas in the Southern Province over alleged cybercrime-related activities and immigration violations.
The arrests were made during separate operations conducted on Monday (11) in Midigama, Hikkaduwa and Galle, according to police.
In Midigama, police arrested 33 foreign nationals, including 28 Indian nationals and five Nepali nationals, who were staying at a tourist hotel in the Pinwatta area.
Police said the suspects, aged between 25 and 35, were taken into custody over allegations including overstaying without valid visas, engaging in employment while holding tourist visas, possession of duty-free cigarettes and offences linked to the Computer Crimes Act.
Meanwhile, STF officers attached to the Akmeemana Camp arrested 55 foreign nationals at a lodging facility in Dodanduwa, Hikkaduwa.
The group included 35 Indian nationals and 20 Nepali nationals, along with the owner of the guesthouse who allegedly provided accommodation to them.
Police also seized 25 computers, 119 mobile phones, Rs. 750,000 in cash, a car and a jeep during the raid.
The suspects are aged between 20 and 48, while the guesthouse owner is a 43-year-old resident of Dodanduwa.
In a separate operation, officers attached to the Sri Lanka Police Galle Police Station arrested 110 Indian nationals staying at two guesthouses in the Galwadugoda and Sri Sumedha Mawatha areas.
The suspects, aged between 19 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of involvement in offences under the Computer Crimes Act. Police also took into custody 58 computers and 79 mobile phones.
Another 23 foreign nationals, including 19 Indian nationals and four Nepali nationals, were arrested by Galle Harbour Police during raids conducted in Magalle and near Sambodhi Junction.
Police seized 10 computers and 32 mobile phones from the suspects, who are aged between 21 and 47. (Newswire)