China and Sri Lanka have intensified joint law enforcement efforts to combat cross-border online gambling and telecom fraud, crimes that authorities warn are increasingly spreading across Asia and beyond.

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo said both countries are working closely to dismantle scam centres and fraud networks that have relocated to Sri Lanka from other parts of Southeast Asia. The Embassy noted that such operations often intertwine with human trafficking and other serious crimes, posing grave risks to public security and social stability.

China’s position on cross-border gambling remains firm: Chinese capital is prohibited from investing in overseas casinos, citizens are barred from operating them, and foreign casinos are forbidden from soliciting Chinese nationals. The Embassy stressed that gambling “almost invariably leads to financial ruin,” with tens of thousands of Chinese citizens suffering losses and harm. Recent amendments to China’s Criminal Law have criminalised cross-border gambling activities.

The Embassy pointed out that Sri Lankan authorities have carried out multiple raids in recent months, dismantling gambling and fraud dens and arresting suspects from several countries. Several Chinese nationals, involved in fraud-related crimes, have been handed over to Chinese authorities, producing what officials described as a strong deterrent effect.

The Chinese Embassy praised the efforts of Sri Lanka’s ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Public Security, particularly immigration and police officials, for their cooperation.

It warned that without firm and immediate measures, the spread of illegal gambling and fraud could damage Sri Lanka’s international image, undermine social stability, and harm the safety and security of its people.

China has already conducted similar law enforcement cooperation with countries including Spain, the UAE, Myanmar, and Cambodia, leading to arrests and repatriations of overseas fraud suspects. It has also proposed the creation of an international alliance against telecom and online fraud to coordinate global efforts, it said.

Going forward, China pledged to actively implement the Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, while continuing to deepen law enforcement and security cooperation with Sri Lanka.

The Embassy said these efforts aim to safeguard lives and property, protect financial security, and build a “clean, safe, and beautiful Sri Lanka,” while contributing to a new global framework for combating transnational crime.

An assistant manager and a security officer, attached to a state bank branch in Horana, have been arrested in connection with the robbery of more than Rs. 30 million that was being transported to replenish automated teller machines (ATMs), Police said.

The two suspects were taken into custody on Friday after statements were recorded from them regarding the incident, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon at the Horana branch of the People’s Bank.

According to Police, a bank employee was carrying two bags containing cash through the rear entrance of the bank at around 2.45 p.m. when an individual, who had arrived on foot, allegedly snatched the bags and fled the scene.

The stolen money, amounting to approximately Rs. 30.5 million, had been prepared for distribution to ATM machines and transportation to other bank branches. Earlier reports had estimated the loss at around Rs. 35 million.

Investigators subsequently arrested a suspect believed to have been directly involved in the robbery and recovered Rs. 17 million of the stolen cash.

Police have not disclosed the exact circumstances that led to the arrest of the assistant manager and security officer but said investigations uncovered information linking them to the incident.

The Western Province North Crime Division is conducting further investigations to determine whether additional suspects were involved and to recover the remaining stolen money.

The daring daylight robbery has raised concerns over security procedures employed during transportation of large sums of cash to/from banking institutions.Further investigations are continuing.

by Norman Palihawadane

The death toll from the fire at an elders’ home in Batagoda, Anguruwatota, has risen to 13 after another resident succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the Horana Hospital, Police said yesterday.

Six others remain hospitalised with serious injuries.

The fire, which broke out on June 3 at the facility housing nearly 70 elderly residents, left 10 people dead on the spot after they were trapped inside the building, according to Police. A total of 51 occupants were rescued as firefighters brought the blaze under control.

Following the incident, approximately 50 survivors were initially accommodated at Batagoda Junior School before being relocated, with the assistance of Sri Lanka Army personnel, to another branch of the same care organisation in Galpatha.

Police said a Magistrate’s inquiry was conducted at the scene on June 4, during which burnt remains were recovered, under judicial supervision.

Meanwhile, the director of the elders’ home was arrested in connection with the incident and produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court. He was remanded until June 11.Investigations are continuing into the cause of the fire.

by Norman Palihawadane