A major scandal has rocked Sri Lanka’s Police Department after the wife of a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) was arrested in connection with an illegal treasure hunt in Anuradhapura. The revelation has sparked nationwide shock, raising questions about police corruption, accountability, and internal discipline.
The arrests were made within hours, with eight suspects, including the wife of the DIG, taken into custody and remanded. What has intensified public outrage is that the Police Department has yet to officially disclose the identity of the DIG, fueling speculation and unrest within law enforcement circles.
Current Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya recently stated that even police officers are involved in crimes and called for an urgent reorganization of the police force. His warning now seems alarmingly prophetic.
Journalist Kalpa Gunaratne, citing internal police sources, revealed that the DIG in question is Ujith Liyanage. He further alleged that a police vehicle was spotted near the treasure hunting site during the operation, raising suspicions of deeper institutional involvement.
The scandal has created friction inside the Police Department, especially since multiple DIGs are stationed in the Colombo area. The lack of transparency has not only embarrassed senior officers but also placed their families under public suspicion.
While the accused DIG is reportedly considered a disciplined officer by colleagues, the association of his name with the treasure hunting racket has shocked many. Public demand is now growing for the police to reveal all details of the investigation and restore trust in law enforcement.
This unfolding controversy underscores the urgent need for reforms in Sri Lanka’s police system and casts a dark shadow over the credibility of the very institution tasked with upholding law and order.
