The Hon. Ananda Wijepala — Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, in response to the comprehensive question raised yesterday under SO 27(2) by the Leader of the Opposition, I present the following, and also update the House on the investigation into the recent lawyer’s murder.

¶ 02 1) Police vacancies as at 2026-02-17: - Regular Police Service: 35,116 vacancies - Special Task Force (STF): 3,815 - Support services: 1,682 The consolidated vacancies are tabled as Annex 01.

¶ 03 Reasons include: post-2021 budget circular restrictions on recruitment, attrition (retirement, death, resignations, dismissals), and expansion of police stations from 438 to 608 by past governments without commensurate staffing and infrastructure.

¶ 04 2) Homicides involving shootings (2015–2025) – reported/cleared figures are placed in the Library.

¶ 05 3) Organized crime incidents recorded in the Crime Division database since 2022 (summary): - 2022: Shootings 63 (45 deaths); sharp-weapon/assault crimes 13 (8 deaths); others; total 76 (53 deaths) - 2023: Shootings 81 (40 deaths); sharp-weapon/assault 21; others; total 102 (54 deaths) - 2024: Shootings 74 (51 deaths); sharp-weapon/assault 6; others; total 94 (57 deaths) - 2025: Shootings 102 (53 deaths); sharp-weapon/assault 17 (9 deaths); others 12 (1 death); total 131 (63 deaths) - 2026 to 17 Feb: Shootings 9 (8 deaths); total 12 (8 deaths) Cumulative total: 415 incidents; 235 deaths.

¶ 06 Recruitment: Approval has been granted to recruit 10,000 personnel (including 100 legal officers, 25 medical officers, and 1,390 in support services) during this year.

¶ 07 Despite shortages, enhanced efficiency has led to increased seizures of narcotics, illicit firearms and ammunition.

¶ 08 Arrests related to organized crime (2025 and first 50 days of 2026): - Offences by category (shootings, sharp weapons/assault, narcotics trafficking, foreign-linked, firearms seizures) – totals presented; operations continue with dedicated teams.

¶ 09 Drug seizures (from 2025-01-01 to date): - Heroin: 2,020.168 kg - Methamphetamine (“Ice”): 4,013.563 kg - Cannabis: 15,564.788 kg - Cocaine: 43.374 kg - Illicit cigarettes: 4,875,712 sticks - Madana modaka/other intoxicants: 2,157,540 units Arrestees: 281,320 persons.

¶ 10 Year-on-year comparison (2024 vs 2025): - Heroin: 832.360 kg (2024) vs 1,821.174 kg (2025) - Ice: 1,364.254 kg vs 3,865.710 kg - Cannabis: 8,359.501 kg vs 17,189.377 kg

¶ 11 Firearms seized (2024–2026 to date): - Detailed breakdown by weapon type (AK-47, SMG, T-81, repeater, 12 bore, “galkatas,” pistols/revolvers, etc.) tabled; totals show higher seizures in 2025 vs 2024; continuing in 2026.

¶ 12 4) Ongoing measures: i. Reorganization of the CID and establishment/strengthening of the Central Crimes Investigation Division and Provincial Crime Investigation Units; activation through new structures notwithstanding manpower gaps. ii. Regional coordination and MoUs with countries to combat organized crime and narcotics trafficking. iii. Intensified operations have pushed key actors abroad; investigations target foreign-based orchestration. iv. Record number of 550 officers sent for overseas training last year in modern crime control methods through international liaison. v. Successful joint operation in Indonesia resulted in arrest and repatriation of five suspects linked to crimes and drug trafficking in Sri Lanka. vi. Intelligence capacity upgraded; database on organized crime gang members and narcotics traffickers maintained. vii. Rewards and commendations: Rs. 1,918 million paid for successful operations. viii. Rehabilitation programme underway for offenders with military training/deserters involved in organized crime. ix. Drafting new legislation to address legal gaps in suppressing organized crime. x. Record confiscations and forfeitures of criminal/drug-trafficking assets; Annex 02 tabled. xi. No political interference or patronage; an independent operational environment ensured for Police. xii. Law will be enforced irrespective of rank, including against persons connected to Armed Forces, Police or politics. xiii. A Cabinet Sub-Committee is examining possibilities to enhance Police pay and allowances. xiv. Public-police relations: Implementation of IGP Circular No. 2578/2023(II) and Administrative Circular 07/2023(II) to operationalize Public Security Committees. xv. STF deployment: 17 STF teams assigned to pursue identified major organized crime gangs. xvi. Fingerprint and biometric records integrated into an organized crime database. xvii. Regular coordination with Prisons; mobile phones found in prisons are analyzed by CID and intelligence services. xviii. Joint special search operations with Tri-Forces continue. xix. Rapid information sharing across stations using digital platforms, including WhatsApp, for instant response. xx. INTERPOL: - 225 Red Notices issued for suspects/accused abroad. - 91 identified organized criminals overseas; Red Notices issued for them. - 95 Blue Notices/public notices for suspects without pending local cases. - Since 2024-09-21: 20 suspects returned to Sri Lanka under Red Notices; 12 more repatriated via diplomatic cooperation without Red Notices. - 31 Red Notice subjects currently located in countries including India, UAE, Oman, Russia, France, Canada, Thailand—some in custody; fast-track extraditions in progress. - Extradition requests submitted for 11 arrested abroad under Red Notices. - Liaison officers being deployed to countries with high concentrations of suspects (UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, India) to expedite coordination. - Airport measures: enhanced identification protocols to prevent escape; upgrading automated facial-recognition systems and integrating with the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Department for Registration of Persons.

¶ 13 Media/political murder investigations—status: 1) Assassination of MP Nadarajah Raviraj (10.11.2006): High Court Trial-at-Bar No. 8331/16 concluded with jury acquittals; Attorney General has appealed (CA(PHC)APN 11/17); to be listed. 2) Abduction/disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda (24.01.2010): Indictments filed in Colombo Trial-at-Bar No. 725/19; next date 2026-05-04. 3) Murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge: three suspects arrested; AG’s advice sought under CR 140/20 (11.02.2020); Mount Lavinia High Court Case B 92/09 listed for 2026-02-27. 4) Death of rugby player Mohammed Wasim Thajudeen (17.05.2012): Investigations submitted to AG (file Ref. 15/111/15 CM). First suspect (Angoda Don Sumith Dammika Perera) named as a State witness; indictments filed against Anura Senanayake and Dr. Ananda Samarasekara (HC 352/19; 634/19); proceedings abated due to their demise. Magistrate’s Case B 849/12/03 adjourned to 2026-02-06 for AG’s position.

¶ 14 Recent double homicide at Akuregoda (13.02.2026): - Incident time approx. 16:00–17:00 hrs, in front of Keells Super, Akuregoda (Thalangama Division). Victims: Buddhika Mallawaarachchi and Ms. Nisansala Mali. - Case: Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court 7516/26. - Twelve police teams deployed. - Perpetrators’ vehicle (KI-7738) found torched at Baddegama; seized. - Supply/support vehicles KS-8987 (seized at Kottawa) and KW-8733 (owner identified; pursuit ongoing). - Arrests: Sanoj Kokila Liyanarachchi (firearm transporter) and a second firearm transporter; third suspect Don Dileena Pramoda Hapuarachchi (“Dila”) who rented a vehicle to the first two, arrested. - Shooter identified as HAS Suresh of Rukgahawila; manhunt underway. - Owner/driver linked to KW-8733 identified as Chavanniarachchige Sihina Dilsara of Athkandura, Galle; pursuit ongoing. - Preliminary investigations indicate orchestration by foreign-based organized criminal and drug trafficker Uggalla Arachchige Tarindu Madhushanka, alias “Kudu Madush”/“OQ.” Intensive investigations continue to apprehend all culprits.

¶ 15 Thank you.