Sri Lanka's War on Drugs: 300,000+ Arrested & Over 2,500 Firearms Seized

COLOMBO (News 1st); More than 300,000 suspects have been arrested and over 2,500 firearms seized under the government's nationwide "A Nation United" operation during the past year, according to Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

Speaking on the progress of the operation, Dr. Jayatissa said authorities had conducted an extensive crackdown targeting drug traffickers, organized crime networks and illegal firearms across the country.

From October 30, 2025, to October 18, 2026, law enforcement agencies carried out 97,074 heroin-related raids, resulting in the seizure of 2,485.1 kilograms of heroin. Authorities also conducted 18,710 raids targeting crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as "Ice", leading to the recovery of 3,302.07 kilograms of the narcotic.

The Minister said 297.1 kilograms of cocaine were seized through 261 raids, while 65,765 operations led to the recovery of 11,146 kilograms of cannabis and 16.7 million cannabis plants.

A further 1,723 kilograms of Kush, 416 kilograms of hashish and 4.5 million narcotic tablets were seized through 21,323 raids targeting Kush, hashish, narcotic pills and Mawa.

According to Dr. Jayatissa, the operation resulted in the arrest of 300,218 suspects, while illegal asset investigations were launched against 449 individuals. Detention orders were obtained against 3,749 suspects, bringing the total number of raids conducted during the period to 303,017. A further 2,580 individuals were referred for rehabilitation.

The Cabinet Spokesman noted that between January 1 and October 16, 2026 alone, authorities recovered 1,469 kilograms of heroin, 7,703 kilograms of cannabis, 272 kilograms of cocaine, 857 kilograms of hashish and 1,649 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.

Providing details on weapons recovered under the operation, Dr. Jayatissa said that from January 1 to October 15, 2026, authorities seized 16 T-56 assault rifles, 42 pistols, 28 revolvers and 901 other firearms, bringing the total number of weapons recovered this year to 987.

He added that during 2025, law enforcement agencies seized a total of 2,604 firearms, including 74 T-56 assault rifles and 90 pistols.

Dr. Jayatissa said the figures reflect the scale of the ongoing operation, noting that illegal firearms continue to be recovered, armed suspects are being arrested, drug traffickers are being apprehended, criminal assets are being frozen, and efforts are underway to rehabilitate individuals involved in narcotics-related activities.

The Minister stressed that despite the challenges that continue to emerge, authorities remain committed to intensifying the nationwide fight against drugs, organized crime and illegal weapons.