Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) has issued orders for the immediate arrest of all armed forces deserters.
This directive comes in response to a troubling increase in shooting incidents linked to former military personnel who have abandoned their posts.
During a press conference on Saturday (22), Sri Lanka’s Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya disclosed details about organized crime in Sri Lanka, identifying 58 organized criminal gangs and approximately 1,400 individuals associated with these networks.
Acting IGP Weerasuriya stated, “We have identified 58 organized criminal gangs in Sri Lanka, with around 1,400 followers. These groups are categorized into primary and secondary organized gangs and their supporting groups.”
He further explained that many of these gangs are operated by “godfathers” based abroad.
“As a result of their overseas operations, we recorded 75 shooting incidents and 18 hacking murders in 2024. So far in 2025, there have been 17 shooting incidents and 5 hacking cases,” he added.
The Acting IGP also highlighted the involvement of some police and military personnel in these criminal activities.
“We have identified and arrested two police officers, one soldier, seven army deserters, and one air force member for their direct or indirect involvement in these crimes,” he said.
“We have received unwavering international support, resulting in the extradition of 19 criminals from foreign countries. We have issued 199 red notices, 90 blue notices, and 4 yellow notices for these criminals,” he stated.
He also mentioned that some criminals continue to operate from within prisons.
The Acting IGP identified the Western and Southern Provinces as the most active regions for these criminal gangs.
At the same press conference on Saturday (22). Ravi Senaviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs stated that ecent incidents have created a highly volatile situation among organized crime gangs.
“Their existence relies on illegal activities and support from certain corrupt political groups. As law enforcement tightens its grip, these gangs resort to various tactics to evade capture,” he added.