A total of 11,970 children have been arrested during raids conducted under the national Ratama Ekata operation since 30 October 2025, according to available figures.

The arrests include 11,737 boys and 233 girls.

The Ratama Ekata operation continues across the country, with the Government planning a major crackdown on organised criminal networks, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said.

He said the operation had resulted in significant action to disrupt the supply of drugs in Sri Lanka, with the Police, Police Narcotics Bureau, Special Task Force, three armed forces and Coast Guard making substantial contributions.

"As a result, tonnes of drugs that were intended to be distributed among the public have been seized. If those quantities had not been intercepted, drug traffickers and dealers would have divided them into gram-sized portions and distributed them among children," he said.

The Minister also linked drug trafficking to organised criminal groups, saying that underworld networks played a major role in the trade. "Drug trafficking is connected to the underworld. These organised criminals are the main players in this operation. A major operation against them is also being carried out alongside this programme."