The Welikada Police informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Nuwan Kaushalya today (15) that investigations have revealed that the 120 suspects from nine countries, including China, who were arrested in the Rajagiriya area over financial and cybercrime offences and remanded in custody, had allegedly hacked bank accounts belonging to banks in California and Saudi Arabia while operating from Sri Lanka.

Police stated that these facts were uncovered following investigations conducted by the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) into three computers seized from the suspects at the time of arrest. Further investigations are continuing into additional case materials, including 151 computers, 51 laptop computers, and 266 smartphones that were also taken into custody.

The police requested that the suspects be further remanded as investigations have not yet been completed.

After considering the submissions made by the police, the Additional Magistrate issued notices to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration and a representative to appear before court and make submissions regarding 28 of the foreign suspects who were allegedly residing in the country without valid visas.

These notices were issued when the complaint against the 120 foreign nationals was taken up before court. The suspects had previously been remanded after being arrested on the 2nd while allegedly engaging in online financial fraud operations under heavy security at a seven-storey apartment complex located on Meda Welikada Road, Rajagiriya. During the raid, police also seized cash and computer equipment worth nearly Rs. 150 million.

At the hearing, the foreign suspects, identified as citizens of countries including China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Madagascar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia, were produced before court via Zoom technology.

Having considered the facts presented, the Additional Magistrate ordered that the suspects be remanded until the 22nd.

The Welikada Police had arrested the relevant suspects while they were staying at a seven-storey building located at No. 106, Meda Welikada Watta Road, Welikada, Rajagiriya.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has updated landslide warnings due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions. The organisation stated that the revised warnings will be in effect from 4.00 p.m. today (15) until 4.00 p.m. tomorrow (16).

Accordingly, Level 2 (Amber) landslide warnings have been issued for the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions: Seethawaka in the Colombo District; Neluwa in the Galle District; Agalawatta, Matugama, Horana, Walallawita, and Palindanuwara in the Kalutara District; Ganga Ihala Korale, Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Pasbage Korale, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Doluwa, Udapalatha, Panvila, and Akurana in the Kandy District; Alawwa and Narammala in the Kurunegala District; and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Eheliyagoda, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kiriella, and Kalawana in the Ratnapura District. Residents in these areas have been advised to remain alert under the Level 2 warning category.

In addition, Level 1 (Yellow) landslide warnings have been issued for Bandarawela, Hali-Ela, and Passara in the Badulla District; Padukka in the Colombo District; Thawalama, Elpitiya, and Niyagama in the Galle District; Attanagalla in the Gampaha District; Ingiriya and Bulathsinhala in the Kalutara District; Medadumbara, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Thumpane, Hatharaliyadda, Harispattuwa, and Udunuwara in the Kandy District; Mawanella, Bulathkohupitiya, Yatiyanthota, Aranayake, Kegalle, Rambukkana, Warakapola, Dehiowita, and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle District; Ridigama in the Kurunegala District; Naula, Ambanganga Korale, and Rattota in the Matale District; Pitabeddara in the Matara District; Badalkumbura, Wellawaya, and Bibile in the Monaragala District; Norwood, Ambagamuwa Korale, and Kotmale West in the Nuwara Eliya District; and Elapatha, Godakawela, Kahawatta, and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura District. The warning notice advises residents in these areas to remain vigilant under the Level 1 warning category.

(Previous News on 15th May, 2026 at 3:34pm)

Landslide warnings extended

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has extended its Level 2 landslide warnings issued last night (May 14), citing continued heavy rainfall across the country.

Senior Geologist at the NBRO – Dr. Wasantha Senadheera, said the “Level 2: Amber (Alert)” warning previously issued for 26 Divisional Secretariat divisions across 06 districts has now been updated and extended further.

Level 2: Amber (Alert) has been issued for the following areas:

• Colombo District: Seethawaka
• Galle District: Neluwa
• Kalutara District: Palinda Nuwara, Agalawatta, Matugama, Horana, Walallawita
• Kandy District: Pathahewaheta, Pasbage Korale, Akurana, Gangawata Korale, Panwila, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa
• Kurunegala District: Narammala, Alawwa
• Ratnapura District: Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Kiriella, Ayagama

Meanwhile, level 1: Yellow (Watch) notices have been issued for 41 Divisional Secretariat divisions in 13 districts.

• Badulla District: Bandarawela, Hali-Ela, Passara
• Colombo District: Padukka
• Galle District: Thawalama, Elpitiya, Niyagama
• Gampaha: Attanagalla
• Kalutara District: Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala
• Kandy District: Medadumbara, Poojapitiya, Udadumbara, Thumpane, Hatharaliyadda, Harispattuwa, Udunuwara
• Kegalle District: Mawanella, Bulathkohupitiya, Yatiyanthota, Aranayaka, Kegalle, Rambukkana, Warakapola, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella
• Kurunegala District: Rideegama
• Matale District: Naula, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota
• Matara District: Pitabeddara
• Monaragala District: Badalkumbura, Wellawaya, Bibile
• Nuwara Eliya District: Norwood, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kotmale West
• Ratnapura District: Godakawela, Elapatha, Kahawatta, Nivithigala

Dr. Senadheera warned that there is a possibility of landslide activity in areas with landslide susceptibility in hill country regions.

He urged residents in these areas, as well as those travelling through them, to remain cautious when engaging in daily activities and to stay alert to further advisories.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has taken steps to introduce an online complaint management system to facilitate consumers in submitting complaints and grievances relating to financial service providers regulated by the Central Bank.

In a statement, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka noted that the online complaint management system has been introduced with the objective of enhancing accountability, efficiency, and transparency in the complaint-handling process within the Central Bank’s regulatory framework.

Through this system, financial consumers will be able to submit their complaints in a formalised and standardised manner, thereby supporting more effective regulation and ensuring that complaints are resolved within the stipulated time frame, the Central Bank stated.

The system will also minimise paper-based processes and streamline complaint management activities by avoiding delays that may occur during the process. As the system operates 24 hours a day, financial consumers will be able to lodge their complaints at any time convenient to them.

Furthermore, financial consumers will be able to monitor the current status and progress of the complaints they have submitted, thereby ensuring greater transparency throughout the complaint resolution process.

The Central Bank further stated in its announcement that, in the first instance, financial consumers should direct their complaints and grievances to the relevant financial service providers. If those providers fail to resolve the complaints, or if consumers are dissatisfied with their response, such complaints may then be referred to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka through the online complaint management system.

The Central Bank has also advised all parties using the system to ensure the clarity, accuracy, and completeness of all information submitted, and to provide all relevant supporting documents in order to facilitate the efficient functioning of the system.

Accordingly, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka pointed out that the complaint management system can be accessed via https://reachus.cbsl.lk/, enabling financial consumers to submit their complaints online.