COLOMBO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan authorities have taken steps to confiscate assets worth about 3.88 billion Sri Lankan rupees (about 11.4 million U.S. dollars) allegedly acquired through illegal activities by organized crime groups since 2024, police spokesperson F.U. Wootler said Tuesday.
Wootler said police have intensified efforts to identify and recover wealth allegedly accumulated through criminal and other unlawful activities.
In 2024, authorities initiated legal action to bring assets worth 1.55 billion rupees under state ownership, he said. These assets include gold jewelry, cash, vehicles, luxury houses and land believed to have been acquired through criminal activities.
Wootler said authorities began preliminary action in 2025 to confiscate another 1.55 billion rupees worth of assets linked to illegal operations.
During the first several months of 2026, authorities have also initiated steps to seize a further 839 million rupees in assets, he said. (1,000 Sri Lankan rupees equals 3.04 U.S. dollars) ■