• 72 luxury, utility vehicles valued at Rs. 621 m confiscated
• 354 lbs gold valued at Rs. 60 m seized
• 35 properties valued at Rs. 1.68 b seized

Sri Lankan authorities have confiscated illicit assets worth over Rs. 3 billion in a major nationwide operation spanning from the start of 2024 to 16 September this year, according to statistics revealed by the Sri Lanka Police Media Division to The Sunday Morning.

Accordingly, the seized property is believed to be primarily the proceeds of narcotics trafficking, large-scale fraud, and financial misappropriation.

As per the statistics, the Police has secured 354 pounds of gold, estimated to be worth Rs. 60,249,100 and impounded 72 luxury and utility vehicles with a combined value of Rs. 620,750,000. 

Furthermore, the crackdown has led to the recovery of 35 properties, encompassing a total land extent of 27 acres valued at a staggering Rs. 1,678,429,500.

In addition to these physical assets, the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has also seized and recovered cash sums totalling Rs. 678,410,387.81.

Commenting on the ongoing operation, Police Media Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler issued a warning to criminal elements. “Organised criminals will not escape justice,” he stated.

“All perpetrators, especially those who violate Sri Lanka’s laws on drugs and those who have stolen from funds belonging to the public, will be pursued relentlessly. The Police is working collectively with the armed forces to ensure that those who have profited illicitly will not be permitted to retain their illegally acquired assets,” he said.

ASP Wootler stressed that Sri Lanka’s robust legal framework supported these efforts, noting: “The necessary legal provisions are firmly in place and the law is now stricter than ever before. We will thoroughly investigate all allegations and the most severe actions will be taken against anyone who has stolen from the nation.”