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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A group of foreigners escaped unhurt after a wild elephant encounter near the entry point of the Sigiriya rock fortress. 

Video footage shows the group of four walking towards the entrance around 4.00 am when they came across the elephant. 

Acting on a warning from a security officer at the guard post, the women ran, but were chased by the animal. 

They eventually emerged unscathed, while the elephant was later seen walking away. (Newswire/ Video- Accident1st)

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India has introduced some key changes in immigration rules, aimed at easing compliance while tightening procedural clarity. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified the Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing key changes to registration timelines, emergency provisions, and a streamlined digital appeals mechanism.

One of the most notable changes relates to the registration requirements for foreigners staying in India. Under the revised rules, foreign individuals who wish to stay longer can now complete their registration “any time before the expiry of 180 days” from their arrival in the country. This replaces the earlier provision, which required registration within 14 days after the expiry of the 180 days.

The Indian government has simultaneously tightened norms for delayed registration. The amendment clearly states that registration beyond the prescribed period will now be permitted only under “emergent circumstances,” signalling a stricter approach towards non-compliance while still allowing flexibility in genuine cases. 

Issued through an official Gazette notification late on Monday, the amendments have been made under Section 30 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and come into force with immediate effect.

Citizenship for children

The rules also introduce important clarifications regarding children and citizenship status. As per the notification, the registration requirement will not apply in cases where either parent is an Indian citizen and wishes to retain the child’s Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955. This provision is expected to remove ambiguity for families with mixed nationality backgrounds.

Further, in cases where a child acquires foreign citizenship while residing in India, the amended rules mandate that either parent must inform the Registration Officer within 30 days of such acquisition. Officials say this move is aimed at ensuring better tracking and documentation of citizenship transitions involving minors.

Another procedural change has been made in relation to reporting timelines under certain provisions, which have now been rationalised to ensure adherence within a strict 24-hour window. While the amendment appears technical, it is expected to improve real-time compliance and monitoring.

A major highlight of the reform package is the introduction of a fully digitised appeals process. Individuals aggrieved by directions issued by civil authorities can now file appeals before the Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration, within 30 days through a designated online portal. This marks a shift towards a more transparent and accessible grievance redressal system.

The rules also set a clear timeline for the disposal of such appeals. The Commissioner is required to pass a reasoned order and endeavour to complete proceedings within 60 days from the date of receipt of the appeal, after providing the concerned party an opportunity to be heard.

The time-bound framework is expected to reduce delays and enhance administrative efficiency.

Officials indicated that the amendments are part of a broader effort to modernise India’s immigration framework, balancing facilitation with enforcement.

By easing certain procedural requirements while introducing stricter conditions for delays and a digital-first approach to appeals, the government aims to create a more predictable and efficient system.

The latest changes are likely to benefit foreign nationals, institutions, and authorities alike by reducing ambiguity, improving compliance, and strengthening oversight in immigration-related processes. (ANI/ Khaleej Times)

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Forty‑nine Chinese and Malaysian nationals arrested in Colpetty for staying without valid visa permits, were remanded until May 15 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (13).

The group was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) during a raid in the Colpetty area recently.

The Police said the individuals had entered Sri Lanka from Cambodia on tourist visas but were found residing without proper authorization.

Following their court appearance, the suspects were remanded. (Newswire)

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A group of 120 foreign nationals arrested in Rajagiriya has been ordered to be remanded until May 6 by Colombo Additional Magistrate R.D. Janaka.

The suspects were produced before the court yesterday following their arrest at an apartment complex on Welikada Road, Rajagiriya. 

The Police state that the group was engaged in illegal financial transactions and other unlawful activities.

They revealed that the suspects had rented several apartments in the building and were operating a fraudulent business from the premises. 

Computers and mobile phones found in their possession were seized during the raid.

The Police confirmed that the group includes nationals from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Madagascar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia. (Newswire)

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The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced special visa facilitation measures for all foreign nationals affected by the adverse weather conditions currently prevailing in Sri Lanka.

The department said that foreigners who were scheduled to depart Sri Lanka on or after 28th November, but were unable to do so due to flight cancellations or travel difficulties caused by the weather, will be exempted from visa extension fees and overstay penalties. 

Issuing a statement, the department said this measure is intended to support travelers who experienced unavoidable delays beyond their control.

In addition, short-term Tourist or Business Visa holders and Residence Visa holders will be granted a seven (07) days’ grace period to complete their visa extension formalities.

Extension of short-term Tourist Visa can be done through the Department’s online portal: https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/vs/login.php, it added. (Newswire)

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A foreign couple has been identified behind several cash robberies at stores in various parts of Sri Lanka recently. 

According to reports, the foreign couple is found to have stolen Rs. 110,000 from a vegetable shop in Kurunegala and Rs. 140,000 from a grocery store in Pilimathalawa, Kandy. 

The public has been warned to be vigilant of the couple who are yet to be arrested. 

It is reported that the couple visits grocery and vegetable shops where they engage in conversation with the workers or owners on Sri Lankan currency.

Claiming to not have seen Sri Lankan currency notes, especially Rs. 5000, the couple is seen manipulating store owners and workers to display the money from their cashier tills. 

Pretending to check the currency, the foreign man is seen stealing money from under the cash bundle given by the cashiers and workers, while the woman is seen distracting fellow workers. 

Watch : https://shorturl.at/NQqav (Newswire)

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A foreign couple has discreetly stolen nearly Rs. 40,000 from a cashier at a store in Ganemulla.

CCTV footage of the incident shows the foreigners engaging in conversation with the store cashier about local currency notes.

The male suspect is seen reaching into the cash drawer and discreetly arranging Rs. 5000 notes under lesser currency notes, while in discussion with the cashier, and later pocketing it unknowingly to the cashier. 

The owner of the store had later found that money was missing while doing the day’s accounts. (Newswire)

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Two foreigners have been rescued from drowning while bathing in the seas off Ahungalla last afternoon.

The Police said the foreigners, a male and female, were rescued by Police lifeguard officials on duty at the beach.

The rescued foreigners are a 29-year-old Romanian man and a 30-year-old Ukrainian woman. (Newswire)

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Ten (10) more foreign nationals have been arrested from a hotel in Iranavila, Chillaw over their alleged involvement in online financial scams. 

The Police said the suspects were arrested by officials of the Puttalam Crimes Investigations Division based on a tip-off.

The arrested group includes 04 Malaysians, 03 Ethiopean men and one woman, one Kenyan woman, and one Chinese man. 

The Police had seized 20 computers, 03 routers, and 282 mobile phones from the possession of the suspects. 

The Puttalam Crimes Investigations Division is conducting further investigations into the incident. 

Over 150 foreign nationals have been arrested in the recent past for their involvement in online financial scams in Sri Lanka. 

The following is a list of the arrests made recently;

• 30 Chinese, 4 Indians & 6 Thai nationals were arrested from two locations in Hanwella on 06 October.
• 19 Chinese nationals were arrested from Nawala on 07 October.
• 20 Chinese nationals were arrested in Panadura on 10 October.
• 120 Chinese nationals were arrested in Kundasale on 12 October.
• 16 Chinese nationals were arrested in the Aniwatte on 13 October.
• 15 Chinese nationals were arrested in Ethul Kotte on 13 October. (Newswire)

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Two foreign nationals who were swept away while bathing in the Hikkaduwa Sea last morning have been rescued. 

The Police said officials from the Hikkaduwa Police Lifeguard Unit had rescued the foreigners.

The rescued individuals were an American and a Swiss national, aged 20 and 30 years. (Newswire)

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The Galle Habour Police have arrested 08 foreign nationals for engaging in online financial fraud from their temporary lodging located on Udugama Road in Galle. 

According to the police, the suspects were arrested following a raid carried out at the premises yesterday based on a tip-off from the Galle Police.

The arrested suspects include 6 Chinese nationals, one person from Kazakhstan, and another from Kyrgyzstan, aged between 24 and 36 years. 

The Police recovered 09 computers, 73 mobile phones, and several SIM cards from the suspects’ possession. 

The Galle Police is conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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A group of foreign tourists exploring Sri Lanka in three-wheelers have managed to escape an attack by a lone wild elephant.  

The tourists were en route to visit a national park in Polonnaruwa using three-wheelers when they encountered the elephant by the side of the road.

Video footage shared by the foreign tourists shows the tourists stopped their vehicles in close proximity to the animal before it got enraged.

The elephant is then seen charging towards them, overturning their two three-wheelers and stomping on a motorcycle in the middle of the road. 

Two foreign tourists who were inside one of the three-wheelers at the time of the incident managed to escape with minor injuries. (NewsWire)

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