In a significant move to combat organized crime and drug peddling, Minister of Public Security Tiran Allas announced the initiation of a special island-wide operation on Sunday, December 17.
A joint raid conducted by the Police, Special Task Force (STF), and Sri Lanka Army at the ‘Sanhinda Sevana’ flats in Kolonnawa resulted in the arrest of 42 individuals. The suspects were found in possession of various narcotics, including heroin, ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine), and Cannabis. Acting on the orders of Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, the operation utilized drones and police K-9 units for enhanced efficiency.
Of the 42 arrested individuals, 25 were apprehended on suspicion, while narcotics were discovered in the possession of the remaining 17 suspects. Notably, one person was arrested in the Wattala area with 35 kilograms of ‘Hashish’ during a separate special operation on the same day, with an estimated street value of Rs. 20 million.
Acting IGP Tennakoon assured stringent efforts to curb all underworld and drug-related activities in the country, emphasizing the commitment to eradicating such activities within a few months. According to Tennakoon, there are currently 1,091 individuals identified as being involved with the underworld. The ongoing operations mark a concerted effort to ensure public safety and uphold the rule of law in Sri Lanka.
In a proactive move to combat the growing issue of drug-related activities, the Sri Lanka Police has introduced a set of dedicated contact numbers to encourage citizens to share information anonymously.
The central hub for this initiative is the Special Operations Room at the Police Headquarters, reachable at 0718598800. In addition to the central hotline, specific regional contact numbers have been established for streamlined reporting:
Colombo North: 071 859 8801
Colombo South: 071 859 8802
Colombo Central: 071 859 8803
Kelaniya: 071 859 8808
Kandy: 071 859 8815
