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LNP – Assets of 88 crime and fraud suspects seized

The Sri Lanka Police have frozen the assets of 88 individuals linked to organized crime and financial fraud.

Of these, 26 are suspected of organized criminal activities and drug trafficking while the rest face charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Frozen assets include land, houses, bank accounts, vehicles, jewellery, business premises, and paddy fields.

This action follows several recent legal moves aimed at curbing illicit wealth accumulation.

Between December 2024 and January 2025, authorities seized criminal assets worth approximately USD 22.4 million, including USD 15.25 million tied to drug traffickers.

In May, the government has issued an extraordinary gazette notification announcing the freezing of assets belonging to terrorist organizations and individuals.

The Secretary of Defence, Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha issued the gazette.

According to the new directive, the bank accounts and movable and immovable assets of 15 organizations and 117 individuals were to be frozen.

Earlier, police said that they have identified at least 58 organized crime syndicates, with major figures reportedly operating from abroad.

A new anti-money-laundering law recently passed by Parliament further empowers law enforcement to seize illicit proceeds and recover stolen assets.

The Criminal Investigation Department and Financial Crimes Investigation Division are leading the investigations to trace the source of the frozen wealth and pursue legal action.

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Tyronne Jayamanne

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