"Follow the Money": Minister Declares New Front in Sri Lanka's War on Crime

COLOMBO (News 1st): Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala says the future of policing in Sri Lanka must extend far beyond traditional criminal investigations, emphasizing the need for a technologically advanced, analytical and highly trusted police service capable of tackling increasingly sophisticated forms of crime.

Addressing a law enforcement forum, the Minister noted that modern policing requires officers who are adaptable to rapidly evolving criminal trends and equipped with the skills necessary to confront complex challenges ranging from cybercrime to financial offences and transnational organised crime.

According to Wijepala, the fight against organised criminal networks cannot be won solely through arrests and prosecutions. Instead, authorities must increasingly focus on identifying, tracing and recovering the proceeds generated through criminal activity.

"The job of the policeman of tomorrow is not only that of an investigator, but one who is technologically proficient, analytical, adaptable and worthy of public trust," he said.

The Minister stressed that financial crime remains one of the most critical challenges facing law enforcement agencies, noting that illicit funds often serve as the driving force behind organised criminal enterprises.

"Money is the lifeblood of organised crime," Wijepala said, adding that disrupting criminal operations requires a strategy focused not only on offenders themselves but also on the financial networks that sustain their activities.

He emphasized that modern policing must increasingly adopt a "follow the money" approach, where tracing financial transactions, identifying criminal assets and dismantling illicit financial structures become central components of crime-fighting efforts.

The Minister said stronger collaboration between law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units, financial institutions, prosecutors and other key stakeholders will be essential in combating money laundering, organised crime and other financial offences.

Wijepala also highlighted the growing importance of regional cooperation, pointing out that South Asian countries are interconnected through trade, tourism, migration, maritime routes and digital networks.

While these connections contribute significantly to economic and social development, he warned that they can also be exploited by criminal organisations involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, financial crime and other forms of organised criminal activity.

"Many of these offences are transnational in nature. As such, the security of the region is a shared responsibility," he said.

The Minister called for stronger intelligence-sharing mechanisms, enhanced mutual legal assistance frameworks, improved extradition cooperation and increased opportunities for joint training among regional law enforcement agencies.

According to Wijepala, greater regional collaboration will be critical as criminal networks increasingly operate across borders, leveraging technology, international financial systems and global connectivity to expand their operations.