Sri Lanka Police have urged the public to immediately notify the nearest police station if groups of Chinese, Vietnamese, or Myanmar nationals are found residing suspiciously in apartments, houses or hotels. 

The alert comes amid a series of raids in recent days that uncovered large numbers of foreign nationals allegedly engaged in cybercrimes across Colombo and its suburbs.

On May 7, acting on information from a private informant, the Mount Lavinia Division Criminal Investigation Unit arrested 30 foreign nationals from a rented house in the Boralesgamuwa Police Division.

Police seized equipment used for computer crimes, including five computers, 26 mobile phones, and five Wi‑Fi routers. Among those arrested were 21 Chinese nationals, including three women, and nine Vietnamese nationals. 

Investigations revealed links to the group of 150 Chinese and Vietnamese nationals arrested earlier on April 2 by the Criminal Investigation Department.

Just a day earlier, on May 6, the Colpetty Police arrested 74 foreign nationals suspected of committing cybercrimes while violating visa conditions.

On May 2, officers from the Walana Central Anti‑Corruption Strike Unit, together with Thalangama Police, arrested 36 foreign men and one woman in Thalangama for offences under the Computer Crimes Act. The suspects were Chinese nationals aged between 23 and 44 years.

That same day, Welikada Police raided a housing complex on Rajagiriya Welikada Road, arresting 120 foreign nationals from Myanmar, Vietnam, the Philippines, Maldives, Romania, and Thailand, who were allegedly engaged in computer crimes.

Information leading to these raids was provided by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Nugegoda, and the Director of the Environmental Protection Division.

Police stations have been producing the suspects before the court, while the Criminal Investigation Department and its Computer Crimes Investigation Division continue further investigations. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have arrested 628 foreign nationals across the country since January 1, 2026, for engaging in illegal activities ranging from immigration violations to cybercrimes, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said.

Addressing the media yesterday (05), ASP Wootler said that the suspects, hailing from India, Vietnam, China, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Cambodia, were apprehended in operations conducted in Cinnamon Gardens, Mount Lavinia, Poddala, Chilaw, and Koswatte.

ASP Wootler noted that many of the arrested individuals had been operating from rented houses, apartments, and office spaces, warning that property owners could also face legal consequences if premises are used for unlawful purposes.

“We urge owners of houses, apartments, and office spaces to keep the nearest Police Station informed when renting to foreign nationals, providing details regarding the visitors,” he said. 

“If not checked, some foreign nationals are found to be engaging in illegal activities from the rented spaces, and this could lead to the owner of the premises also being identified as complicit in the case,” he warned.

He further requested that the public exercise caution when renting to foreign nationals, stressing that vigilance is essential to curb illegal activity and protect landlords from liability. (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 public who are facing various threats via the internet has been requested to seek the assistance of the Police Computer Crimes Investigation Division.

Police Spokesman, DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that people facing various harassment and threats from individuals via the internet can file a complaint with the Police Computer Crimes Investigation Division.

Addressing the media, DIG Thalduwa said those requiring assistance can file a complaint via the email dir.ccid@police.gov.lk. 

He further said that complaints can also be filed via the Police Children & Women Bureau hotline 109 which is operational 24/7. 

The Police Spokesman revealed the helplines after a 21-year-old youth from Hikkaduwa was apprehended for harassing a young woman via Facebook.

The youth had repeatedly proposed to the girl, who had rejected him on multiple occasions. He had then sent a link to the girl claiming that her explicit images had been uploaded to the internet, which the girl had requested her boyfriend to inspect. 

The link led to a phishing attack through which the suspect had obtained the online chat conversations and images between the couple, which he had used to create explicit images of the woman and had threatened her in exchange for sexual favours. 

The woman had filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department after which the suspect had been lured to Piliyandala and had been apprehended. (NewsWire)

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