The Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has arrested four managers from four private banks in connection with a probe into a massive foreign currency transfer.

Police said the arrests are linked to an incident where a money changer operating in Fort allegedly transferred USD 1 billion overseas without importing any goods into Sri Lanka.

Investigators believe the transaction was facilitated through multiple banking channels, prompting the arrest of the managers as part of efforts to determine how such a large sum was moved without corresponding imports.

The FCID is continuing inquiries into the case. (Newswire)

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Four officers attached to the Monaragala Divisional Crime Investigation Unit have been arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 500,000 to avoid taking legal action against a cannabis cultivation near the Thanamalwila Nikawawa Demodara tank, the Police said. 

The arrested officers include a 37‑year‑old police sergeant from Buttala, a 45‑year‑old police sergeant from Dehiattakandiya, a 39‑year‑old police constable driver from Bibile, and a 36‑year‑old police constable from Bibile.

According to Police, the Officer‑in‑Charge of Thanamalwila Police had received information about a cannabis field in the area. On August 11, a team surrounded the site and arrested a suspect along with a cannabis plot. Subsequent searches uncovered three more cultivations, while another plot had been cut and destroyed.

During questioning, the suspect revealed that on August 10, six officers from the Monaragala Crime Investigation Unit had visited the site, taken Rs. 500,000 from him, burned only one cannabis plot, and removed the remaining stock.

Investigations later led to the arrest of another individual named Kalu, a resident of Nikawawa, who was found with cannabis. He told Police that the same group of officers had instructed him to dry the cannabis stock.

Both suspects were produced before the Wellawaya Magistrate’s Court, which issued detention orders for further questioning. Based on information obtained during interrogations, Thanamalwila Police arrested the four officers.

The suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Wellawaya Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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A 34‑year‑old resident of Mampuriya has been arrested by officers of the Wariyapola Computer Crimes Investigation Division in connection with the circulation of a woman’s nude photographs and video footage via WhatsApp.

The arrest was made on Thursday (13) within the Anamaduwa Police Division, following a complaint lodged by the victim with the Computer Crimes Investigation Division.

Police said the suspect was taken into custody by a special team attached to the division.

The Wariyapola Computer Crimes Investigation Division has launched further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Officers of the Negombo Division Criminal Investigation Unit have arrested a 38‑year‑old resident of Ragama with Rs. 2.3 million in cash, six bank cards, and a mobile phone, all suspected to be linked to drug trafficking.

According to the Police, the arrest was made following intelligence received by the unit.

Investigations revealed that the suspect is a close associate of an organized criminal gang member and drug trafficker currently overseas, and is believed to have been handling bank deposits of money earned through narcotics trade.

Police said the suspect was taken into custody during a special operation and handed over for further questioning.

The Negombo Division Criminal Investigation Unit has launched further investigations into the case. (Newswire)

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Police have arrested a man and a woman accused of abandoning a four‑year‑old girl in Wattegama after bringing her there in a three‑wheeler. 

According to the Police, the arrests were made by the Hali Ela Police this morning (14).

Investigations revealed that the arrested woman is the child’s mother, while the man has been identified as her illicit partner.

The suspect couple is to be handed over to the Wattegama Police Station for further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan authorities have arrested 1,093 foreign nationals in 2026 in connection with 27 cybercrime incidents, marking a sharp escalation in enforcement against online financial scams.

According to Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler, by comparison, in 2025, police arrested 26 foreigners linked to two incidents, while in 2024, 573 foreigners were arrested in relation to 26 incidents.

The crackdown follows intensified raids, arrests, and public awareness campaigns aimed at curtailing scams conducted through social media platforms.

ASP Wootler said both locals and foreigners have fallen victim to these scams, prompting authorities to step up measures, including deporting suspects. 

He emphasized that the government is determined to halt financial crimes that exploit social media and online platforms.

The Police Spokesman also urged the public to exercise caution when renting houses, hotels, or business premises to foreign nationals. 

He advised landlords to verify the identities of foreign tenants by checking their business registrations and informing the nearest police station. (Newswire)

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The Illegal Assets Investigation Division has arrested a 53‑year‑old woman from Colombo 14 in connection with purchasing property and assets using money earned through drug trafficking.

Police said the investigation began after the Inspector General of Police received information that a female drug trafficker residing at Ferguson Road, Colombo 14 had acquired property and assets with illicit funds. The complaint was referred to the Division on March 31, 2021.

Following submissions to court, the assets were seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, with the High Courts of Negombo and Colombo extending the orders.

The assets identified include:

• A land of 8.66 perches in Ja‑Ela valued at Rs. 1.4 million
• Rs. 5.9 million deposited across six bank accounts
• Three shops in Colombo 14 valued at Rs. 22.5 million
• One shop in Colombo 14 valued at Rs. 7.5 million
• A three‑storey house with land in Colombo 14 valued at Rs. 20 million

Investigations revealed that these properties were acquired through drug trafficking proceeds, leading to the arrest of the suspect yesterday (13).

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division is continuing further inquiries into the case. (Newswire)

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A man who allegedly defrauded large sums of money from unsuspecting individuals through social media by posing as a house construction contractor has been arrested by the Mirihana Special Investigation Division.

Police said the suspect had deceived victims by claiming he was engaged in housing projects and collected money under false pretenses. 

The total amount defrauded is reported to exceed Rs. 25 million.

Investigators confirmed that at least 15 complaints had been lodged against the suspect in connection with the scam. 

Authorities noted that the fraud was carried out by exploiting social media platforms to lure victims into believing in non‑existent construction services.

The Mirihana Special Investigation Division is continuing further inquiries into the case. (Newswire)

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Police in Nagareyama City in Japan have arrested an 18‑year‑old Sri Lankan national on suspicion of murder after he allegedly stabbed a 21‑year‑old compatriot with a knife, according to a report by Japan Today.

Authorities said both men were international students living at the same residence. The incident occurred around 10:20 am Tuesday when the suspect stabbed the victim in the abdomen inside their shared home.

The suspect himself called emergency services (119), and the victim was rushed to hospital but was later pronounced dead. Police questioned the 18‑year‑old student at the scene, who admitted to stabbing his acquaintance.

Investigators quoted the suspect as saying: “I snapped and stabbed him because I was called a derogatory name for a gay man, my mother was insulted, and I was punched.”

Police confirmed that the two men were acquaintances and continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the fatal confrontation. (Newswire/ Japan Today)

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Two suspects have been arrested in Kuruvita with a cache of strictly protected wild animal parts following a joint raid by wildlife officers and the Police Special Task Force (STF), acting on intelligence provided by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The raid, carried out yesterday (10) in the Paradise area of the Kuruvita Police Division, led to the seizure of 03 sambar deer antlers, 04 spotted deer antlers, an ivory pendant, an ivory ring, 02 ivory sticks, a relic casket with an ivory crystal, 07 elephant tooth parts, a sword with a sambar deer antler handle, a piece of jackal skin, and a piece of musk. Investigations confirmed the items were in the suspects’ possession for sale.

The suspects, aged 40 and 31, are residents of Kuruvita. They, along with the seized exhibits, were handed over to the Palabaddala Wildlife Office and are scheduled to be produced before the Ratnapura Magistrate’s Court today (11).

Possession, transport, display, or sale of parts belonging to strictly protected and endangered species is prohibited under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. The Department of Wildlife Conservation has urged the public to report information on such offences to its emergency hotline 1992. 

The operation was jointly conducted by officers of the Ritigala Wildlife Office, Kurunegala Assistant Director’s Office, Bulathkohupitiya and Palabaddala Wildlife Offices, together with STF officers in Kuruvita, based on Air Force intelligence. (Newswire)

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A young couple has been arrested by Arachchikattuwa Police while transporting a large stock of cannabis in a luxury cab.

The arrests were made at the Batthuluoya police checkpoint along the Puttalam–Chilaw road, where officers discovered 17.985 kilos of cannabis concealed inside the vehicle.

Police identified the suspects as a 26‑year‑old man and a 22‑year‑old woman, both residents of Rajanganaya. 

Investigations revealed that the cannabis stock had been cultivated in the Thanamalwila area.

The suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court today. (Newswire)

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Police have arrested five young motorcyclists for riding without helmets and in a reckless manner on by‑roads near Almarjani School in the Sammanthurai Police Division on July 31.

According to the Police, investigations began after video footage surfaced showing the suspects riding motorcycles in a way that harassed children arriving for tuition classes that evening. Using the footage, police identified the motorcycles and made arrests.

In addition, eight motorcycles linked to the incident were traced and seized over the past three days. The suspects, aged 19 to 21, are residents of the same area.

Police said the five suspects, along with the seized motorcycles, were produced before the Magistrate’s Court today (03). Further investigations are underway to enforce the law against all identified riders involved in the incident. (Newswire)

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The Western Province South Crime Investigation Division has arrested a 48‑year‑old woman in connection with the attempted murder reported on July 21 in the Mount Lavinia Pansala Road area, where two unidentified men threatened residents with a firearm and tried to carry out a killing.

According to the Police, the firearm used in the crime had been supplied by an organized criminal currently hiding abroad and exchanged through the arrested suspect, a resident of Ratmalana.

At the time of arrest, police found 10.270 grams of ICE narcotics in her possession, along with Rs. 35,060 suspected to be payment for her role in the crime.

Further questioning led to the recovery of the motorcycle used in the attack, the clothes worn by the suspects on the day, and a mobile phone. 

Police noted that the motorcycle rider involved in the incident had already been arrested on July 26 and remains in remand custody while questioning continues.

The Police stated that the female suspect will be produced before the Magistrate’s Court to obtain a detention order, under which investigations will proceed. (Newswire)

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A 24‑year‑old man from Monaragala has been arrested at Katunayake International Airport with a stock of Kush narcotics valued at Rs. 14.8 million.

The suspect had arrived at 9.25 am from Bangkok, Thailand, today (27).

During inspection of his travel bag, officials of the Airport Police Narcotics Division discovered 1.480 kilos of Kush.

Authorities said the drugs had been disguised in the form of sausages, coated with chocolate, packed, and printed with a popular chocolate brand name.

The suspect and the seized narcotics are scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court for further investigations. (Newswire)

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The owner of a leading private tuition class center in Horana has been arrested with 15.250 grams of ICE narcotics in his possession, it was reported.

According to reports, the Police said the suspect, a 44‑year‑old resident of Narthanagala, was taken into custody along with a mobile phone suspected to have been used for drug trafficking, a SIM card, and an electronic scale used to measure narcotics.

Investigations revealed that he is the son of a well‑known businessman in Horana. Officials noted that he attempted to flee when Police arrived at his residence.

Authorities further disclosed that the suspect had previously faced several drug‑related charges. He has now been placed under detention orders for extended questioning.

Police have launched a probe to determine whether he maintains links with drug traffickers, operates a distribution network, or sold ice drugs to children attending tuition classes. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Central Division Criminal Investigation Unit has arrested two suspects found travelling in a car with Rs. 20.6 million in cash, the source of which could not be confirmed.

The arrests were made on Tuesday evening in the Park Road area of the Kompannaveediya Police Division. 

The suspects, aged 54 and 59, are residents of Colombo 13 and Colombo 14.

Police said the money was seized and the suspects were presented to the Kompannaveediya Police Station.

Investigations are underway to determine whether the funds were obtained through illegal means. (Newswire)

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Three suspects were arrested after violently obstructing Police officers engaged in traffic duty near the 72nd milepost in Kosgoda on Sunday evening.

Police said two officers signaled to stop a cab and several motorcycles speeding from Galle towards Colombo. Among them was a suspected unregistered high‑capacity motorcycle.

During pursuit, the cab fled into Uragaha Road, obstructing a Police motorcycle, and later turned into Waturawela Road, again blocking officers and enabling the motorcycle to escape.

The cab was eventually taken into custody, but its driver resisted, threatening officers and obstructing official duty. A second individual arriving on a scooter also threatened police, while a third man joined in, acting violently and disturbing the public.

Mobile officers later arrived at the scene and arrested the cab driver along with the two others. The cab, scooter, and suspects were taken to the Kosgoda Police Station.

Police confirmed the three suspects are residents of Nanatota, Kosgoda, and said further investigations are underway into the fleeing unregistered motorcycle and the incident. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police say a major drug haul was intercepted on the Southern Expressway, following a special operation by the Expressway Division.

According to the Police, officers stopped a car traveling towards Colombo from the Aparekka interchange in the morning and recovered two parcels containing 2.350 kilos of crystal methamphetamine (ICE).

Two suspects, aged 24 and 32, were arrested. Investigations revealed the narcotics were being transported to the Wanathamulla area. 

Police also seized Rs. 97,000 found in the possession of one suspect, an employee of the Colombo Municipal Council, believed to be linked to the trafficking operation.

The suspects and the seized drugs have been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation. 

The Police further said that the Expressway Division conducts special search operations covering all 31 interchanges to intercept illegal activities. 

The public has been urged to extend full cooperation to officers during vehicle inspections to ensure effective enforcement. (Newswire)

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A 59‑year‑old resident of Yakkala has been arrested by the Western Province North Crimes Division in connection with an organized vehicle robbery racket, Police said.

The arrest follows a complaint lodged on July 10, when a man reported that a van he had purchased for Rs. 4 million was forcibly taken by an armed group. 

Investigations revealed that nearly ten individuals, including the owner of a vehicle sales outlet in Balummahara, Mudungoda, were linked to the crime.

Police investigations uncovered that the suspects had been posting advertisements on Facebook to sell vehicles. 

After completing sales, they allegedly trailed buyers and robbed the vehicles in an organized manner. Several suspects, including the vehicle sales owner, have fled the area.

During a search at a vehicle sales outlet in Kalagedihena, Nittambuwa, officers seized two swords, two pistol magazines, three live rounds, and a jeep.

Authorities confirmed that complaints have also been received regarding two other robberies carried out in a similar fashion.

The arrested suspect was produced before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court on July 14 and was remanded until July 16. 

The Western Province North Crimes Division is continuing further investigations. (Newswire)

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Sammanthurai Police have arrested six suspect riders and seized eight motorcycles linked to a viral social media video showing a group riding recklessly on a highway without protective helmets.

According to the Police, the arrests were made yesterday (14), after investigations led by the Officer‑in‑Charge of the Sammanthurai Police Station identified the road as falling within the division.

Police said further inquiries revealed the motorcycles had been ridden in this manner on July 11, 2026. 

The suspects, along with the seized motorcycles, are scheduled to be produced before the Sammanthurai Magistrate’s Court today (15).

Investigations are continuing under the Sammanthurai Police Station. (Newswire)

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