Police Headquarters has initiated a special investigation into allegations that three officers, including two from the Panadura Walana Central Anti-Corruption Unit, have been planting narcotics on innocent people and collaborating with overseas-based drug traffickers.

Police Headquarters has opened a formal investigation into serious allegations against three police officers accused of fabricating drug offences and protecting criminal networks. The inquiry was triggered following a complaint related to a raid conducted on Wednesday, with allegations suggesting the officers have been planting narcotics on innocent civilians while receiving payments from overseas-based drug traffickers.

According to the complaint, the officers are alleged to have provided protection to drug operations across several areas including Ratmalana, Dehiwala, Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa and Kohuwala. The complaint names the officers as allegedly receiving hundreds of thousands of rupees from overseas criminals known as "Kos Malli," "Chuwa Samantha" and "Kudu Avishka," who are said to be directing criminal activities in Sri Lanka remotely. The officers are further accused of filing false cases against rivals and innocent people at the direction of these underworld figures.

A specific incident in the complaint involves a young man arrested on Wednesday after the officers allegedly planted approximately 15 milligrams of narcotics on him. The suspect claimed he had obtained Rs. 125,000 through pawning a bracelet, though only Rs. 75,000 was allegedly presented in court. He subsequently provided a pawn receipt as evidence and requested laboratory analysis of the recovered substance. A Mount Lavinia Magistrate ordered the substance be sent to the Government Analyst for examination.

The allegations have also been lodged with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. Police officials noted that the conduct alleged against these officers has damaged the reputation of the Walana Anti-Corruption Unit, which has previously maintained public trust.