October 21, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has formally launched a new investigative body to tackle illicit wealth and criminal enterprises, marking a major step in the government’s fight against organised crime, corruption, and drug trafficking.
The Proceeds of Crime Investigation Division (PCID) was inaugurated yesterday at the old Police Headquarters in Colombo, with top government and law enforcement officials in attendance.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala emphasised that while legislation is important, real progress depends on swift and effective enforcement. “Laws alone do not bring change. The public must see justice being done—and being done without delay. That is when laws become deterrents,” he said.
The PCID has been established under the newly enacted Proceeds of Crime Act 2025, a sweeping piece of legislation designed to identify, freeze, and reclaim assets obtained through unlawful means. The Minister hailed the Act as a landmark in Sri Lankan legal history, describing it as a comprehensive tool that empowers authorities to act decisively against economic crimes.
Under the new law, authorities can initiate both criminal and civil proceedings against individuals and entities suspected of acquiring assets illegally. The PCID is authorised to cooperate with 34 government agencies in order to trace and recover such wealth. Moreover, it is empowered to accept complaints from the public, freeze suspicious assets for up to 30 days, and bring civil claims to recover unlawfully obtained property.
Senior DIG Asanga Karawita has been appointed as the Director General of the Division for a three-year term, with approval from the National Police Commission. A Deputy Director General has also been appointed to support the Division’s operations.
The Minister noted that although additional laws are being drafted—particularly those targeting organised crime, terrorism, and online safety—the existing framework already provides sufficient authority to act decisively. He stressed that illegal enrichment and the accumulation of wealth through criminal means can be intercepted even without new legislation, as long as the current laws are applied with determination.
Amendments to the Online Safety Act are also underway, being drafted by a multi-ministerial committee involving representatives from the Justice, Public Security, Mass Media, and Foreign Affairs ministries. The proposed changes are expected to be tabled in Parliament within the next two months.
Additionally, Minister Wijepala revealed that steps are being taken to review and ultimately replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). A legal committee, led by the Attorney General’s Department, has been tasked with drafting new legislation that aligns with contemporary security challenges and international human rights standards.
Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, also speaking at the event, acknowledged that the current legal system has suffered due to a failure to enforce existing laws properly. He welcomed the creation of the PCID and the Proceeds of Crime Act, noting that police officers have now been granted greater legal authority than ever before—but urged them to wield that power responsibly and in the public interest.
He also noted that a Bill specifically targeting organised crime is being finalised for presentation in Parliament and stressed the need to close longstanding legal loopholes that have hindered enforcement efforts.
One key feature of the new Act is its retroactive application. The law enables action to be taken based on past audit reports, with the Auditor General granted expanded authority to forward findings directly to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
