Special crimes investigation units to be set up covering all provinces

• Decision made following concerns over rising criminal activities
• The new divisions will operate under the Senior DIGs of all provinces, including the North and East

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

In a fresh bid to curb the crime wave and to restructure the Sri Lanka Police, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said that Special Crimes Divisions, similar to the Colombo Crimes Division, will be established in each province to address the rising crime rates.

Minister Wijepala told Daily Mirror that these new divisions will operate under the Senior DIGs of all provinces, including the North and East.

This move comes in response to the increasing number of crimes, particularly underworld activities, across the country.

Currently, the Sri Lanka Police has several specialised divisions, including the Colombo Crimes Division, Organised Crime Division, Mirihana Crimes Investigation Special Unit, and Walana Anti-Corruption Unit. These divisions and units handle a range of serious crimes such as murder, underworld activities, human trafficking, and the dismantling of criminal organisations involved in drug trafficking, smuggling and cybercrime.

The existing police divisions are already investigating a growing number of crime-related incidents. Once the new divisions are set up, they will be tasked with investigating serious crimes within their respective areas.

The decision to establish separate Crimes Divisions in each province follows concerns over the rising criminal activities, particularly in certain areas, the minister said.