Nearly 700 foreign nationals who entered Sri Lanka in violation of immigration and emigration laws have been arrested, Police say, in the latest update on a sustained crackdown on foreign-run illegal operations.
Police Spokesman Assistant Superintendent F. U. Wootler said the arrested foreigners are from countries including India, China, Vietnam and Cambodia. He added that the Computer Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched investigations into some of those detained over their alleged involvement in cybercrimes.
The figure marks a steady rise from the 628 foreigners reported arrested since January, a year-to-date total ASP Wootler disclosed on May 6. Operations through the year have repeatedly uncovered foreign nationals using rented houses, apartments and office spaces to run online scam networks, prompting police to warn landlords that they could face liability where due diligence is absent.
The arrests form part of a wider enforcement push that has included raids in Galle, Hikkaduwa and Midigama, Kollupitiya and Rajagiriya, alongside special immigration checks at the airport targeting arrivals from countries linked to cyber-scam syndicates. Authorities are also examining possible political links among criminals recently deported from the UAE.
