Crime is a present in various forms in Sri Lanka. Crime is segmented into two broad classifications: grave crimes (those which are indictable) and minor crimes (those which are not). Exceptions can be made for criminal liability on the grounds of duress, insanity, intoxication, necessity, and private defense. Punishment for crime includes several options: community service, fine, forfeiture of property, imprisonment, institutional treatment, probation, suspended sentence, and death; while the death penalty is available in the country, there have been no executions since 1976. Corporal punishments (whipping) has been abolished as of 2005.

Since 2026, Sri Lankan officials claim that fraud factories are popping up after crackdowns in Cambodia and Myanmar. The rise is attributed to lenient visa policies and high-speed internet.

Statistics

YearTotal Murders20051,38820063,25120072,08920081,92420091,09620107562011767201267520135852014547201547620165022017452201859320192732020497202152220225232023146

Grave crimes reported in 2019 Grave Crime Cases Recorded Abduction 10980 Kidnapping 10030 Arson 13458 Mischief over Rs. 25,000 45680 House Breaking 224358 Grievous Hurt 10925 Voluntarily Causing Hurt by Dangerous Weapons 5678 Homicide 2005 Attempt to Homicide / Abatement to commit suicide 3456 Rape of Women over 16 years of age 1674 Statutory Rape (Women under 16 years) With the consent of the victim 10765 Statutory Rape (Women under 16 years) Without the consent of the victim 56783 Unlawful Assembly / Riot 9083 Robbery 4770 Unnatural offenses / Grave Sexual Abuse 8921 Extortion 5040 Cheating, Misappropriation, Criminal Breach of Trust in respect of over Rs. 300,000 67457 Praedial Products Theft over Rs. 25,000 1120 Cattle Theft over Rs. 25,000 7740 Properties Theft Over Rs. 25,000 107298 Counterfeiting Currencies and Possession 6709 Offenses against the state 3579 Cruelty to children 90400 Sexual Exploitation of Children 256 Procuration and Trafficking of persons 300 Offenses under the offensive weapons act 3000 Possession of automatic or repeater shot guns 8000 The Manufacture of any quantity of Heroin, Cocaine, Morphine, Trafficking, Import, Export or possession of dangerous Drugs of and above 2gms of Heroin, 2gms or more of Cocaine, 3gms or more of Morphine, 500gms or more of Opium, 5 kg or more of cannabis and 1 kg of Hashish. 10012 Obstructions to Police Officers 2550 Total 680400

Crimes against women and children

Sri Lanka is a participant in the prostitution industry, and most consumers of the trade in the country are foreign travellers. Nevertheless, most prostitution-related acts, such as prostitute trafficking and procuring are illegal. Prostitution has not become as severe an issue in Sri Lanka as compared to the situation in some neighbouring countries.

Child trafficking is a problem in Sri Lanka. Most children trafficked are treated unfairly, being forced into sex slavery and the filming of child sexual abuse material.

Corruption

Corruption is prevalent in Sri Lanka. Cited as "one of the most corrupt nations in the world" by Lakshman Indranath Keerthisinghe of the Lanka Standard, there have been instances in which law enforcers take bribes from offenders who wish to have their offences waived. The government has made an effort to curb corruption in the country and a handful of corrupt individuals have been arrested and appropriately charged.

Corruption is considered a large expense to the Sri Lankan government. However, corruption does not appear to be significant enough to pose a problem with foreign investment, though it is considered to be a persistent issue with customs clearance and smuggling of some consumer products.

Investigation

The crime division of the Police Department of Sri Lanka has several branches. Its primary mission is to protect against all types of crimes in the country. It makes appropriate coordination with civil and military agencies, apprehends criminals, and take appropriate legal actions after the commitment of crime. The department previously held the Logistics portfolio led by DIG Valentine S. Vamadevan and also later had the Police Human Rights Division which was established in 2002 with a mandate to examine and prevent human rights violations with which their officers may be charged while on duty.

See also Alleged war crimes during the final stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War

References