The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya has stated that the country's organized criminals, who previously benefited from political backing, are now fleeing abroad.

The IGP said that as their political support networks have been dismantled, many criminals have fled the country. 

He noted that the Sri Lanka Police are now working with international partners to apprehend suspects hiding in countries such as India, Malaysia, Thailand, the UAE, Indonesia, Oman, Russia, Belarus, and France.

The Ministry of Public Security's Secretary, Ravi Seneviratne, added that these overseas criminal networks continue to direct drug operations and violent crimes in Sri Lanka. 

Several suspects linked to past crimes have already been arrested and extradited from countries like India and the UAE, with more joint operations currently in progress.