Police on high alert over dirty cops leaking information to underworld

•  2025 sees sharp rise in police suspensions, over 300 already out
•  Mobile phones of such officers to be analyzed and their assets examined

Colombo, Sept. 29 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka Police are on the lookout for rogue officers suspected of leaking sensitive information to underworld figures, following shocking revelations that notorious criminal Kehelbaddara Padme was reportedly tipped off about a secret overseas mission to arrest him.

Investigations have revealed that Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rohan Olugala’s covert mission to Indonesia was almost compromised after details of his travel plans were allegedly leaked through local police channels.

This allowed Padme, along with Commando Salintha and Kudu Nilanga to flee the hotel where they had been hiding just before the raid.

Police sources said that during Padme’s eventual arrest, officers found a photograph of the Interpol red warrant against him saved on his mobile phone—further proof that inside information had been passed on to him. It has also emerged that a criminal named Darun was tipped off about Olugala’s absence and managed to confirm his foreign travel using his phone number.

The Daily Mirror learns that some officers attached to certain stations or divisions have established long-term ties with underworld elements, alerting them ahead of planned raids.

To curb the risk, Inspector General of Police (IGP) has ordered a strict rotation of officers, preventing them from being stationed in one division for too long.

Special units such as the Police Narcotics Bureau will also see frequent transfers to reduce the possibility of officers building connections with drug traffickers.

A senior officer said that more than 300 police officers have been suspended since January 2025 over various offences — an increase compared to 200 suspensions in 2024.

He added that on average, four to five cases of police involvement in offences are being reported each week.

Recently, the Acting Director of the Police Cultural Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sathish Gamage who was arrested in connection with allegations of accepting bribes amounting to approximately Rs. 14 million from drug traffickers, organized criminals, and members of the public seeking services from the police.

Police said that if any officer is found to have connections with criminals, strict action will be taken following investigations. They added that such officers’ mobile phones will be analyzed and their assets examined.

Earlier, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala warned that stern action will be taken against wrongdoers, regardless of their rank or service history.