September 04, Colombo (LNW): Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya has announced a series of major successes in the country’s ongoing campaign against organised crime, describing 2025 as a watershed year for national security and justice.
Speaking to media this week, Weerasuriya outlined the sheer scale of narcotics and weapons seized by security forces so far this year, calling the results “unprecedented in the country’s recent history.”
According to official figures released by the Police Chief:
– 1,416 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (Ice)
– 946 kilogrammes of heroin
– 12,802 kilogrammes of cannabis
– 1,869 kilogrammes of other illegal narcotics
– Over 3 million illicit pharmaceutical tablets
A significant haul was made just this Wednesday (03), when a joint operation with the Sri Lanka Navy resulted in the seizure of 720 kilogrammes of cannabis in the Northern Province—a region long seen as a transit point for cross-border smuggling.
The police’s offensive has not been limited to drugs. A total of 1,612 illegal firearms have also been confiscated this year, including military-grade T-56 assault rifles and handguns. Authorities believe these weapons were intended for use by criminal syndicates and underworld gangs, and their removal has dealt a heavy blow to violent crime networks.
In a further sign of tightening enforcement, Weerasuriya revealed that 17 high-profile suspects with international links have been extradited to Sri Lanka in recent months. Notably, five individuals were apprehended simultaneously last week through coordinated efforts with Interpol, marking what he described as a “landmark victory” in dismantling transnational criminal operations.
“These arrests are not just symbolic—they send a powerful message,” said Weerasuriya. “Sri Lanka is no longer a refuge for organised crime. We will reach across borders, across jurisdictions, and across time to hold offenders accountable.”
He stressed that the current momentum in law enforcement has been achieved with full operational independence, free from political pressure. “Every officer, from the most senior officials to the newest recruits, is now empowered to act decisively. Our mission is clear: to ensure that every citizen can live without fear of crime or violence.”
