Since taking office in September 2024, the government has extradited dozens of suspects linked to drug trafficking and organized crime, resulting in the seizure of over Rs. 6 billion in assets across 113 cases.
Sri Lankan authorities have successfully brought back 66 suspects wanted for organized crime and drug trafficking offenses who had previously fled the country, according to police reports cited by state media. The extraditions represent part of a broader government crackdown on serious criminal activity since the administration took office on September 21, 2024.
Investigations into 113 cases involving these individuals have led to the freezing of approximately Rs. 6 billion in assets. The largest portion—Rs. 5.4 billion—came from 102 drug trafficking suspects, while Rs. 209 million belonged to three organized crime figures. An additional Rs. 367 million linked to eight individuals involved in pyramid fraud, child abuse, and explosive material offenses was also seized. The frozen assets include substantial physical holdings: 2 kilograms and 1,404 grams of gold, 136 acres of land, 55 houses, and 142 vehicles.
Of the returned suspects, 28 had Interpol red notices issued prior to their extradition, while 38 did not. To strengthen future enforcement efforts, Sri Lankan authorities have issued 110 new Interpol red notices since September 2024. Police data indicates that 35 suspects remain abroad, with concentrations in the United Arab Emirates (18), India (11), and smaller numbers in the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Canada, and Italy.
As of mid-August 2026, Sri Lanka had issued a total of 236 red notices through Interpol, with 96 specifically targeting organized crime suspects. These figures suggest an accelerated pace of international cooperation and criminal pursuit under the current administration's law enforcement strategy.