News
SSP: CID receives over 1,500 complaints of cyber crimes in first quarter of 2024
About 63% of victims are women – SSP Darshika Ranasinghe
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Computer Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had received 5,243 complaints in 2023, Deputy Director of CID’s Computer Crimes Investigation Division, SSP Darshika Ranasinghe said.
She added that her division had received over 1,500 complaints by the third week of March 2024, and the use of digital devices had increased, and along with that, the number of cyber-crimes too had gone up.
“Almost everyone has a smartphone, and given that smartphones have become essential for academic activities, most children also have access to them. A lot of children have access to the Internet, and many people have more than one SIM. This is a trend we have observed after COVID, and as the number of devices increased, the number of complaints we received also went up,” SSP Ranasinghe said.
She said 63 percent of the victims were women. Among the main complaints are threats to publish nude photos on the Internet, cyber threats and unauthorised access to social media accounts or devices, she said.
“A lot of Facebook and WhatsApp accounts are hacked. This usually happens when you click a link sent to you. Be very careful when someone sends you links,” SSP Ranasinghe said.She added that each day, they request Facebook to deactivate around 200 fake accounts.
Sri Lankans also have a habit of sharing One Time Passwords (OTPs) with other people, SSP Ranasinghe said. This has allowed unscrupulous elements to steal valuable passwords, embezzle money and engage in identity theft, she said.
“The OTP is only for you. Do not share this with anyone, not even people you trust the most,” she said.
Computer Crimes Investigation Division, ASP Chandima Arumaperuma said there are many instances where a former lover releases compromising photos of women to the internet. She urged victims to reach out to the nearest police station and the Computer Crimes Investigation Division will take steps to take down these photos from the internet.
“We are also in touch with major internet companies. There is no need to fear. In many instances, a perpetrator threatens a woman before he releases photos to the internet. They might demand sexual favours or money. Victims must immediatelycomplain to the police, and the police usually reach out to us. When the police are involved, most of these perpetrators immediately break down,” she said.
ASP Arumaperuma said they have established four subunits in four provinces ( Matara, Kandy, Maha Oya and Wariyapola) and similar units will be established in all provinces.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
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At least 28 dead as crane collapses onto train in Thailand
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
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