Sri Lankan authorities have arrested 230,248 suspects and seized more than 15,900 kilograms of illicit drugs since the launch of the nationwide “Ratama Ekata” anti-drug operation on October 30, 2025, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Police Narcotics Bureau Ashoka Dharmasena said.
The operation, launched under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is being jointly conducted by the Sri Lanka Police, the Tri-Forces, the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Customs and the Special Task Force (STF).
According to DIG Dharmasena, methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice”, accounted for the highest number of arrests, with 89,056 suspects taken into custody and 2,608 kilograms of the drug seized.
Authorities also arrested 74,619 suspects in connection with heroin-related offences and recovered 2,248 kilograms of heroin during the operations.
In addition, 51,490 suspects were arrested over cannabis-related offences, while law enforcement officers seized 7,481 kilograms of cannabis.
The DIG said authorities also confiscated 289 kilograms of cocaine, resulting in the arrest of 201 suspects. Operations further led to the seizure of 1,636 kilograms of Kush and 349 kilograms of hashish.
According to the Police Narcotics Bureau, the total quantity of dangerous narcotic drugs seized under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance—including heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, Kush and hashish—has reached 15,917 kilograms since the operation began.
DIG Dharmasena said the ongoing campaign targets not only drug traffickers but also individuals assisting organised narcotics networks, while daily raids continue against those involved in the use and distribution of illicit drugs.