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;[1] while the death penalty is available in the country, there have been no executions since 1976.[2] Corporal punishments (whipping) has been abolished as of 2005.[3]
Statistics
| Year | Total Murders[4][5][6] |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,388 |
| 2006 | 3,251 |
| 2007 | 2,089 |
| 2008 | 1,924 |
| 2009 | 1,096 |
| 2010 | 756 |
| 2011 | 767 |
| 2012 | 675 |
| 2013 | 585 |
| 2014 | 547 |
| 2015 | 476 |
| 2016 | 502 |
| 2017 | 452 |
| 2018 | 593 |
| 2019 | 273 |
| 2020 | 497 |
| 2021 | 522 |
| 2022 | 523 |
| 2023 | 146 |
| 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.[8] 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.[9]
Child trafficking is a problem in Sri Lanka. Most children trafficked are treated unfairly, unwillingly and inhumanely turned into pornographic film actors or sex slaves.[10][11][12][13][14]
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,[15] 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.[16]
Corruption is considered a large expense to the Sri Lankan government.[15] 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.[21] 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.[22]