Eight (08) suspects have been identified in connection with the abduction, assault, and murder of a Chinese national following the recent clash at Colombo Port City, the Police said. 

According to the Police Spokesman, ASP F.U. Wootler, three of the suspects fled the country soon after the incident, while three others remain in Sri Lanka and are evading arrest. Overseas travel bans have been imposed against them. 

Two suspects were arrested at the Katunayake Airport, and legal proceedings have already been initiated. The case has been fixed for August 6, during which an identification parade will be held.

ASP Wootler further noted that the investigation has been assisted by the Chinese Embassy and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). 

He urged the public to remain vigilant when renting houses, hotels, or commercial properties to foreign nationals and to inform their local police stations of any suspicious activity.

ASP Wootler disclosed the information to the media in connection with the incident where the body of a Chinese national reported missing after a clash between two groups at Colombo Port City was discovered in Eheliyagoda on July 23.

The deceased had been abducted along with two others; however, the other two were abandoned with injuries and admitted to hospital. (Newswire)

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Two Chinese nationals are reported injured following a clash between two groups at the Colombo Port City on Wednesday night (22).

According to the Police, the clash had occurred between two groups of Chinese nationals.

During the clash, three Chinese nationals had been abducted after which two had been abandoned, while the other remains missing.

The two abandoned Chinese nationals, who were found to be injured have been admitted to a private hospital in Colombo. 

The cause for the clash is yet to be ascertained, while the Police have launched investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Thirteen Chinese nationals have been taken into custody at the Katunayake Airport after officials seized a large stock of foreign cigarettes valued at over Rs. 28 million.

Customs officials said the group had arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, on two flights. 

They were intercepted at the arrival terminal carrying 22 travel bags, inside which officers discovered 189,600 cigarettes.

The consignment is estimated to be worth Rs. 28,440,000. 

Airport authorities confirmed that the suspects are businessmen aged between 28 and 45 years. (Newswire)

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Colpetty Police arrested six foreign nationals for engaging in gambling without a license at a nightclub on Galle Road last night.

Police said the suspects, all Chinese nationals aged between 27 and 48, were taken into custody during the raid.

The arrests were made after officers discovered the group participating in money‑based gambling activities.

The Colpetty Police are conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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Customs officers at Katunayake Airport have arrested three Chinese businessmen for attempting to smuggle a large stock of foreign‑made cigarettes into Sri Lanka early this morning (25).

The suspects, aged 31, 36, and 40, were apprehended while trying to pass through the Green Channel without declaring the goods. 

Investigations revealed that the cigarettes had been purchased in China, transported via Kuala Lumpur, and brought into Sri Lanka concealed in six pieces of luggage.

Officials discovered 202 cartons containing 40,000 cigarettes, with the total consignment valued at approximately Rs. 6.6 million.

The suspects are currently in Customs custody at Katunayake Airport, while further investigations into the incident are ongoing. (Newswire)

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Customs officers at the Katunayake Airport arrested three Chinese nationals on Tuesday (19) while attempting to smuggle in a large stock of mobile phones and batteries suspected to be intended for cybercrime activities.

Officials said mobile phones valued at Rs. 5,140,000 and 140 batteries were seized during the operation. 

The suspects, a 34‑year‑old woman and two men aged 35, were apprehended while trying to move the items illegally through the Green Channel.

Customs inspections revealed several phones hidden inside a suspicious bag among toffees and chocolates, while further searches uncovered more devices concealed in a specially prepared jacket worn under clothing. 

Additional phones were found hidden in the soles of the woman’s shoes and inside the travel bag of the other male passenger.

In total, 87 mobile phones and 140 batteries were recovered. The suspects have been handed over to the Police for further investigation. (Newswire)

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Customs officials at the Katunayake Airport arrested a 35‑year‑old Chinese national today (20) after he attempted to smuggle nearly 230,000 foreign cigarettes through the Green Channel.

It is reported that the suspect had arrived from China via Bangkok and used the assistance of three airport porters to conceal 229,800 cigarettes inside 13 pieces of luggage. 

The consignment, valued at approximately Rs. 35 million, was intercepted by Customs officers.

After handing over the luggage, the suspect tried to flee through the Green Channel but was pursued and apprehended by officials in the airport vehicle yard. 

The cigarette stock has been confiscated, and further investigations are underway. (Newswire)

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Six Chinese nationals have been arrested at Katunayake Airport after attempting to illegally bring a large stock of cigarettes into Sri Lanka, valued at approximately Rs. 11.38 million.

Customs officials, together with officers from the Customs Narcotics Control Division, detained the suspects during inspections early this morning. 

According to Customs officials, the group had arrived on three separate flights.

Authorities discovered 75,900 cigarettes manufactured in China concealed in their travel bags and backpacks. 

Katunayake Airport Customs has launched further investigations into the suspects, who remain in custody. (Newswire)

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A Chinese national who attempted to illegally take a stock of Kothala Himbutu (Salacia reticulata) to China was arrested early today (31) at the departure terminal of the Katunayake Airport by a group of customs officers.

According to reports, the Chinese national had packed 21 kilograms of Kothala Himbutu inside several packages branded with Sri Lanka’s world‑renowned tea label.

The suspect, aged 46, is a Chinese national who had arrived in Sri Lanka for travel.

He had come to Katunayake Airport early today at 1.40 am to board China Eastern Airlines flight MU‑714 bound for Kunming, China.

Under the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, Kothala Himbutu is a protected plant species that cannot be taken out of Sri Lanka.

Customs officers at Katunayake Airport, together with officials of the Customs Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Unit, are conducting further investigations into the matter. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Police have appealed to the public for assistance in locating a Chinese national wanted in connection with the murder of a Chinese woman in Kohuwala on 23 March 2026.

According to police, the victim, who was residing on rent in a house at a residential complex in the Kohuwala Police Division, was fatally stabbed with a knife. 

The Mount Lavinia Division Criminal Investigation Unit has launched an investigation into the crime.

The suspect, identified as Wang Huiyin, is believed to be the victim’s former partner. His details are as follows:

• Name: Wang Huiyin
• Date of Birth: 01 June 2000
• Passport Numbers: EE6791329 / ER3805969
• Other details: Injury with stitches on the fingers of his left hand

Police have requested anyone with information to contact the following numbers: 0718596408 or 071‑8591669. (Newswire)

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Sixteen Chinese nationals have been arrested by the Cinnamon Gardens Police for allegedly engaging in illegal online pyramid‑style financial fraud while overstaying their visas in Sri Lanka.

According to the Lankadeepa Newspaper, the Cinnamon Gardens Police stated that, along with the suspects, the Police seized 23 laptops, 11 mobile phones, 7 routers, 9 voice converters, and 3,280 foreign cigarettes.

Per information received by the Cinnamon Gardens Police OIC, a group of Chinese nationals who had temporarily resided at addresses on Jawatta Road, Colombo 05, and Don Carolis Road were suspected of engaging in illegal activities. 

Acting on this tip, a team led by the Crimes Division OIC carried out the raid.

The Police say the 16 arrested Chinese men were in possession of duty‑free cigarettes imported into the country, and further searches of their residences uncovered laptops and other equipment.

Preliminary investigations revealed that these suspects had been connected with foreign countries while residing in Sri Lanka and were deceiving various individuals through pyramid scams. (Newswire)

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Two Chinese nationals were arrested yesterday (25) by the Katunayake Airport Police for stealing foreign currency worth Rs. 483,855 from a Buddhist monk on an aircraft in transit, it was reported.

According to reports, the victim, Ven. Digalle Mahinda Thero, a teacher by profession residing at a temple in Peradeniya, had arrived at Katunayake Airport on Etihad Airways flight EY-392 from Abu Dhabi at 10:05 a.m. on 25 November.

While the aircraft was airborne over Katunayake, the monk had gone to the restroom. At that moment, two Chinese nationals approached his seat and accessed his travel bag kept in the overhead rack. When the monk returned, the suspects fled, and he did not immediately check further.

Upon landing at Katunayake, during customs clearance, the monk discovered that his foreign currency was missing. The stolen amount included 250 Euros, 100 Sterling Pounds, 250 US Dollars, and 3,850 Malaysian Ringgit.

The monk lodged a complaint with the Airport Police, who reviewed CCTV footage. The suspects were seen leaving the airport in a three-wheeler. With the assistance of the airport’s three-wheeler associations, police identified the vehicle and arrested the two suspects along with the stolen money.

Investigations revealed that the suspects had planned to use the stolen cash for casino gambling in Colombo today (26). The arrested individuals are aged 31 and 58.

Further investigations are being conducted by the Katunayake Airport Police, and the suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (26). (Newswire)

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A Chinese national has been taken into custody by the Sri Dalada Maligawa Police Station for allegedly using a drone without proper authorization to record video footage of the high-security zone surrounding the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

According to the Police, the 48-year-old Chinese national launched the drone around 7:00 PM yesterday (15) from near the official residence of the Diyawadana Nilame.

The drone, which had flown over the Sri Dalada Maligawa, was brought down by the Air Force using jammer equipment. 

For further investigation, both the Chinese national and the drone have been handed over to the Kandy Tourist Police Unit by the Sri Dalada Maligawa Police. (Newswire)

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A group of Chinese nationals residing in Sri Lanka have allegedly abducted a fellow Chinese businessman and robbed him of approximately USD 60,000.

According to the Police, the victim, who operates a store on R.A. De Mel Mawatha in Colpetty, was abducted around 9:00 pm last Friday (22). 

He was reportedly taken away in a vehicle and held captive in a building for about a day.

During his confinement, the suspects allegedly carried out the robbery by transferring the money online. 

The Police said the suspects had later abandoned him on a roadside on Saturday afternoon (23). 

The victim is reported to have received treatment at a private hospital in Narahenpita for injuries sustained during the abduction.

The Police said he had filed an official complaint with the Colpetty Police last evening. Investigations are underway into the incident. (Newswire)

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Five Chinese nationals who had attempted to enter Sri Lanka to engage in cybercrime activities were nabbed at the Katunayake Airport today (13).

It is reported that the group had arrived from Thailand via a SriLankan Airlines flight at 10:30 am.

Upon suspicions regarding their purpose of visit, they were detained by Immigration Officials for questioning.

During interrogations, the suspects had claimed they had travelled to work for a company based in the Colombo Port City.

However, when inquired, an official from the said company was unable to provide clear details.

Immigration officials had also found that the group had previously been employed at suspicious companies in Cambodia and the Philippines, both countries known for cybercrime activity.

Based on the investigation findings, the five Chinese nationals were immediately deported. (Newswire)

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The Kandy Tourist Police have arrested two foreigners who had engaged in business activities while on a tourist visa in Sri Lanka.

The Police said the suspects, aged 47 and 48 years, are two Chinese women.

They had been arrested while engaging in business activities at the Economic Centre premises, based on a tip-off.

The suspects have been handed over to the Kandy Police Station for further investigations. (Newswire)

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Three Chinese nationals have been apprehended in Galle on suspicion of being involved in online financial scams in Sri Lanka. 

The Police said the three Chinese men were arrested while staying at a hotel in the Gintota area in Galle yesterday. 

The arrested Chinese nationals are aged between 33 and 38 years.

The Police seized five mobile phones, a passport without an owner, and four bank cards during the arrest. 

The Galle Police is conducting investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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The scam farms by foreign nationals recently busted in Sri Lanka are similar to those in Myanmar where Sri Lankan nationals are stranded, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said. 

Speaking to local media, the Police Spokesman said these scam farms are termed ‘scamming camps’, which was a very new concept to Sri Lanka. 

“This concept of scamming camps was discovered only this year. Suspects select separate locations, mostly consisting of rooms and a big hall where their activities can be conducted. Those at the camps are most often not allowed to leave the premises. This is similar to the situation of Sri Lankans stranded in Myanmar cyber camps,” he said. 

DIG Thalduwa further said that even though they are not allowed to venture outdoors, they are provided with their salaries.

“These scamming camps require a swimming pool for the leisure activities of the workers. They also need a house for their food requirements,” he said. 

The Police Spokesman said the scammers obtain locations under the pretext of operating a company and provide upfront payments for several months. 

“Initially the company might show as if operating with four persons, but later it could even be around 50 persons at one location. However, the numbers depend on the scope of their network. Then equipment such as laptops and desktops are brought to the location,” he said.

DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that these scammers not only target people in Sri Lanka, but globally as well. 

His comments come as over 150 foreign nationals, especially a large number of Chinese, have been arrested in the recent past for their involvement in online financial scams. (Newswire)

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Twenty (20) more Chinese nationals have been apprehended on suspicion of the alleged involvement in online financial scams.

According to the Police, the suspects had been arrested from a hotel in Panadura by officials from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). 

The Police have also confiscated five laptops, 437 mobile phones, 332 USB cables, 17 routers, and other equipment from the suspects’ possession. 

Police investigations are underway to ascertain if the group is linked to the previously arrested foreign nationals related to online financial fraud in Sri Lanka. 

On Sunday, forty (40) foreign nationals, including 30 Chinese nationals, 04 Indian nationals and 06 Thai nationals, were arrested from two locations in Hanwella.

The Police said the group had been apprehended for allegedly committing financial fraud using Social Media and telephones.

Thereafter, on Monday this week, a further nineteen (19) Chinese nationals were arrested in Nawala.

Officials from the CID had arrested them for their alleged involvement in online scams. (Newswire)

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A group of Chinese nationals have been arrested in Payagala for allegedly violating visa conditions. 

The Police said the group of six persons included five men and a woman, and they were arrested last morning. 

The men are aged 20, 22, 24, 27, and 39 years old, while the woman is a 48-year-old. 

The Payagala Police is conducting investigations. (Newswire)

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