Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau faces its biggest internal crackdown yet, as investigators probe explosive claims that officers built secret fortunes through links with major drug traffickers.
A comprehensive investigation has been launched into the assets and properties of all 400 officers attached to the Police Narcotics Bureau following serious allegations that a group of corrupt officers became millionaires by maintaining close relationships with large-scale drug traffickers.
As an initial step, five Sub-Inspectors attached to the Bureau have been transferred with immediate effect after allegations emerged that they had close dealings with drug networks. A full-scale investigation has already been initiated into their conduct, finances and asset declarations.
This major clean-up operation within the Police Narcotics Bureau is being carried out under the leadership of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Bureau, Ashoka Dharmasena, with the full supervision of Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya. The objective, according to senior police sources, is to remove corrupt elements from the unit and restore credibility to narcotics enforcement.
Investigations are also underway to identify and remove officers suspected of corruption and to recruit new personnel to replace them. Sources reveal that asset records of 20 officers have already been obtained and examined, while checks on the remaining officers are currently in progress.
A senior police officer stated that several officers have remained within the Narcotics Bureau for as long as 20 to 25 years, often without proper service rotations. According to him, prolonged service within the same unit has allowed some officers to develop close relationships with drug traffickers, enabling sensitive information to be leaked.
Investigators have also uncovered evidence suggesting that highly confidential operational details of the Police Narcotics Bureau had fallen into the hands of major drug traffickers, severely compromising ongoing investigations and enforcement actions.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department has launched a separate probe into information indicating that outsiders had gained access to the Bureau’s VMS data system. This system is used to track multi-day fishing vessels suspected of transporting drug shipments. Investigations have revealed that at least 57 external individuals accessed the system unlawfully.
Further inquiries have revealed that a group of officers recently removed from the Narcotics Bureau on corruption allegations had allegedly deleted a significant volume of highly sensitive data from the division’s computer systems. A separate investigation is now underway to assess the damage caused and determine accountability.
