Sri Lanka grapples surging crime amid economic recovery

EFFORTS to navigate economic recovery are juxtaposed against a persistent and, in some sectors, escalating crime landscape as the country reaches mid-2025. An analysis of reported data indicates notable shifts in the prevalence of various criminal activities since 2024, especially homicides, according to available data.

- By Roy DeNisH

Homicides represent the most critical concern. Following a significant increase to 4,114 cases in 2024, the first six months of 2025 (January-June) have already recorded 1,933 murder cases nationwide. This sustained high rate of fatal violence is predominantly attributed to intensifying gang-related violence and the entrenched influence of drug trafficking. Police data indicate 68 shooting incidents between 1 January and 13 July, resulting in 37 fatalities of individuals predominantly associated with criminal networks. The ubiquitous availability of deadly illicit firearms further exacerbates this trend, challenging law enforcement’s capacity to mitigate these incidents effectively.

The escalating gang violence has emerged as a particularly destabilising force within the criminal landscape. Many of the violent crimes, including a significant proportion of the recorded homicides and a thousand knife-assault-injury cases in the first half of 2025, are directly linked to organised crime groups and drug-related “Mafia-Style” gangs. These groups are frequently engaged in brutal clashes over territorial control and illicit profits, turning public spaces into arenas of violent confrontation. This pervasive gang activity not only fuels the escalating murder rate but also contributes to a broader sense of insecurity, impacting communities and eroding public trust in law and order.