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Lanka emerges as possible new base for transnational scam networks
Sri Lanka is emerging as a possible new operational base for transnational cyber-scam networks, amid a sharp increase in raids targeting foreign nationals suspected of involvement in online fraud, according to law-enforcement data and regional analysis by East Asia Forum (EAF).
An EAF report by Junqing Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, said that Sri Lankan authorities have conducted more than a dozen raids on suspected cyber-fraud operations since the beginning of the year, arresting or deporting hundreds of foreign nationals, many of whom had entered the country on tourist visas.
Police reported in August that 1,093 foreign nationals had been arrested in cybercrime raids in Sri Lanka in 2026, compared with 573 arrests recorded throughout 2024. Several operations have been conducted in the western coastal areas, with suspects including Chinese, Indian and other Southeast Asian nationals.
The increase comes amid intensified crackdowns on large-scale scam compounds in Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, many of which have been linked to Chinese-speaking criminal networks. Chinese authorities have also expanded joint operations, repatriations and judicial cooperation with governments across Southeast Asia as part of a broader campaign against online fraud.
However, the increase in scam activity in Sri Lanka does not by itself establish that criminal networks have relocated directly from Southeast Asia. Sri Lanka may instead be emerging as one of several destinations in a wider regional displacement of cybercrime operations.
The mobility of such networks was highlighted in April, when Sri Lankan authorities intercepted nine Chinese nationals arriving from Kunming who were reportedly carrying hundreds of electronic devices. The incident followed another operation in which more than 150 foreign nationals were detained over alleged online fraud.
Chinese authorities have publicly supported Sri Lankan investigations into such cases, reflecting growing concern over overseas scam operations, involving Chinese nationals.
Unlike the large compounds that have attracted attention in Southeast Asia, scam operations can increasingly be organised through smaller teams operating from multiple locations. This decentralised model makes them more difficult for authorities to detect and dismantle.
Sri Lanka offers several factors that could facilitate such temporary operations, including relatively accessible tourist and digital-nomad visas, comparatively low accommodation and office costs, telecommunications infrastructure and established cross-border financial networks. Its geographical position between South and Southeast Asia also makes it attractive to mobile criminal groups.
Authorities, however, face the challenge of moving beyond raids and arrests of frontline operators. Immigration monitoring, financial investigations, telecommunications regulation and cybercrime investigations need to be better coordinated to identify the organisers and financial networks behind such operations.
Law-enforcement agencies also need to distinguish between organised crime suspects and possible trafficking victims. International investigations have found that some people working in online scam operations in Southeast Asia were recruited through deception or coercion and subsequently forced to participate in criminal activities.
The growing presence of transnational scam networks could also have wider implications for Sri Lanka, including risks to its tourism and investment reputation, financial system and already stretched law-enforcement resources.
Experts have increasingly warned that enforcement action in one country can push scam networks into other jurisdictions rather than eliminate them. Sri Lanka’s experience, therefore, highlights the need for greater regional intelligence-sharing, coordinated financial investigations and cooperation on digital evidence if the networks behind online scams are to be dismantled rather than merely displaced.
A commemorative service was held in memory of Rasaiah Parthipan commonly known by the nom de guerre ‘Thileepan’ in Nallur Jaffna this morning (26).
Parthipan a revolutionary member of the LTTE and a student of the University of Jaffna, commenced a hunger strike on 15th September 1987 untill his death on 26th September 1987. He was 23 years old at the time of his demise.
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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The National Building Research Institute has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 16:00 hrs on 25.09.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 26.09.2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Neluwa, Nagoda, Niyagama and Thawalama inthe Galle district, Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, and Kothmale West, Ambagamuwa, Kotmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Elpitiya, Baddegama and Karandeniya in the Galle district, Walallawita in the Kalutara district, Deltota, Udunuwara, Gangawata Korale, Yatinuwara and Panvila in the Kandy district, Aranayake, Dehiowita, Mawanella, Deraniyagala and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district, Thalawakelle in the Nuwara Eliya district and Ratnapura and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colombo district, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Katuwana and Walasmulla in the Hambanthota district, Ingiriya and Bulathsinhala in the Kalutara district, Hatharaliyadda, Poojapitiya, Medadumbara, Kundasale, Ududumbara, Thumpane, Akurana, Pathadumbara, Harispattuwa and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Warakapola, Bulathkohupitiya, Galigamuwa, Kegalle and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kegalle district, Pitabeddara, Kotapola and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district and Elapatha, Ayagama, Nivithigala, Kuruwita and Kalawana in the Ratnapura district
Parliament yesterday passed the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill with two-thirds majorities, with 158 MPs voting in favour and 63 against each Bill.
The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) voted with the SJB against the Bills.
NDF MPs Ravi Karunanayake and Faizer Musthapha and SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka were not present when the votes were taken.
The final vote on the Judicature (Amendment) Bill was announced at around 8.08 p.m. after Opposition MPs called for divisions on its clauses during the Committee Stage.
The votes followed a two-day debate which commenced on Thursday (24), after Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Bills for their Second Reading.
The Supreme Court’s determination on the Bills was presented to Parliament on Tuesday (22) by Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne. The Court determined that the 22nd Amendment Bill did not require approval at a referendum and could be passed by a special two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The amendment provides for raising the mandatory retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and that of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. It also provides for the Chief Justice to retire at 67 or after completing six years in office, whichever comes earlier.
The Speaker informed Parliament that the Judicature (Amendment) Bill could be passed by a simple majority.
The SJB opposed the legislation and its MPs attended Parliament dressed in black yesterday. The party also staged a protest at Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla, under the theme “No to 22, which destroys democracy”, with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several SJB politicians participating.
Thileepan rembered on 39th death anniversary
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
Showers in the Western, Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Batticaloa and Ampara districts.
22A, Judicature Amendment Bills passed with 2/3 majority
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