By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies seized more than 3,500 firearms across 2025 and the first 10 months of 2026, alongside thousands of kilograms of heroin, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine and other narcotics, under the Government’s nationwide ‘A Nation United’ operation.
Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has said the crackdown had resulted in the arrest of 300,218 suspects between October 30, 2025, and October 18, 2026, as authorities intensified operations against drug trafficking, organised crime and illegal weapons.
The figures highlight the scale of the enforcement campaign, with firearms recoveries and large narcotics seizures forming two key components of the operation.
More than 3,500 firearms seized
Authorities have seized 2,604 firearms during 2025, including 74 T-56 assault rifles and 90 pistols, Jayatissa has said.
A further 987 firearms were recovered between January 1 and October 15, 2026. These have included 16 T-56 assault rifles, 42 pistols, 28 revolvers and 901 other firearms.
The recoveries bring the total for the two reporting periods to 3,591 firearms, including 90 T-56 assault rifles.
The Government has identified illegal weapons as a key target in its wider effort to disrupt organised criminal networks and prevent armed violence.
Tonnes of heroin and ‘Ice’ recovered
The operation has also yielded substantial quantities of narcotics.
Between October 30, 2025, and October 18, 2026, authorities have seized 2,485.1 kilograms of heroin through 97,074 raids and recovered 3,302.07 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’, in 18,710 operations.
A further 297.1 kilograms of cocaine were seized through 261 raids, while cannabis-related operations resulted in the recovery of 11,146 kilograms of cannabis and 16.7 million cannabis plants.
Authorities have also seized 1,723 kilograms of Kush, 416 kilograms of hashish and 4.5 million narcotic tablets through 21,323 raids targeting Kush, hashish, narcotic pills and Mawa.
Separate figures covering January 1 to October 16, 2026, show seizures of 1,469 kilograms of heroin, 1,649 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 272 kilograms of cocaine, 7,703 kilograms of cannabis and 857 kilograms of hashish.
More than 300,000 suspects arrested
Jayatissa has said the nationwide operation had resulted in 303,017 raids and 300,218 arrests during the reporting period.
Authorities had also obtained detention orders against 3,749 suspects and launched investigations into the suspected illegal assets of 449 individuals.
A further 2,580 people were referred for rehabilitation.
The Minister has said the Government would continue intensifying its campaign against drug traffickers, organised crime and illegal firearms.
The scale of the seizures and arrests demonstrates the reach of the operation. Its longer-term impact will depend on whether investigators can dismantle trafficking networks, trace the financial proceeds of crime and prevent illegal drugs and weapons from returning to circulation.
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