Ongoing operations to curb organized criminal activities in Sri Lanka will be intensified from today (26), Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said. 

Minister Wijepala told Newswire that the operations will be intensified, especially in the Southern and Western Provinces. 

He further said that the operations conducted by the Police and military will be strengthened and will be continued further. 

Minister Wijepala said that the measure has been taken due to the recent increase in criminal activities reported in the two provinces. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has raised concerns over the alarming rise in violent crimes, stating that eight murders occurred between the 18th and 21st of this month, posing a serious threat to national security. 

He criticized the President’s stance, claiming that he has downplayed the issue. MP Premadasa also warned that the ongoing violence among underworld gangs is escalating into a major national security crisis.

Speaking in Parliament today, MP Premadasa referenced a recent courtroom murder, highlighting media reports about an intelligence document containing colour photographs of a woman linked to the incident. 

The Opposition Leader emphasized the gravity of the situation and demanded a clear explanation for such a security failure, especially when intelligence information was available. 

He further urged the government to adopt a more systematic approach to handling intelligence data, stressing that the actions of these ruthless criminals have become a significant national concern. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Public Security has introduced a new hotline to report crimes against women and children in Sri Lanka. 

The public can report crimes against women and children via the new 24-hour hotline ‘109’. 

Information can be provided or complaints can be made on activities against women and children via the hotline which will be handled by the Police. 

In December 2023, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles announced that a new hotline would be introduced in January this year specifically for the safety of women and children in Sri Lanka. 

The minister further said that only Policewomen are to be deployed to answer calls received via the hotline, for the convenience of women or any individual reporting the incident. (NewsWire)

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At least 5000 crimes related to children are being reported per year, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) in charge of the Western Province, Deshabandu Tennakoon said.

SDIG Tennakoon revealed several of the crimes were a result of the use of drugs and mobile phones. 

He further said that data shows that at least 5000 crimes related to children are reported in Sri Lanka every year.

SDIG Tennakoon said drugs are a key factor for crimes related to children, as well as sexual abuse and physical abuse, pointing out that mobile phones have become a weapon used for child abuse.

“Despite attempts to reduce cases of child abuse, we are unable to do so due to the high use of mobile phones. Parents must impose restrictions at home if we are to reduce child abuse in Sri Lanka,” he said. 

Considering the highest populated Province, which is the Western Province, the SDIG said that it is understandable that child-related crimes are high in the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara Districts of the province. 

The Senior Police Officer also identified the use of drugs and alcohol as another key factor for child-related crimes in Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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