by Our Correspondent in Colombo
China and Sri Lanka have agreed to strengthen cooperation to combat cybercrime through joint coordination between law enforcement and relevant state institutions. The agreement comes amid continued concerns over the presence and activity of organized cybercrime groups operating within Sri Lanka.
Authorities have previously carried out arrests of Chinese nationals in connection with cybercrime-related investigations, with some individuals later handed over to Chinese authorities. Under the current cooperation framework, China has reportedly agreed to take legal action against those individuals under its domestic laws and assist Sri Lankan authorities in identifying broader criminal networks.
However, sources claim that cybercrime operations have not been fully dismantled and continue to function within the country. They allege that a significant number of foreign nationals remain involved in such activities and that these networks are still active across multiple locations.
According to these sources, some of the alleged operations are being conducted from high-security private properties in Colombo, including Shangri-La Colombo, HQ Colombo, and Cinnamon Grand. The sources further claim that enforcement activity and comprehensive searches have not been consistently carried out in these locations. These allegations have not been independently verified, and authorities have not confirmed the claims.
The cooperation effort between China and Sri Lanka is expected to involve institutions including the Ministry of Public Security, the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as both sides attempt to strengthen investigations and enforcement mechanisms targeting cybercrime networks.
The issue has also been highlighted in broader international reporting. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has noted that cybercrime hubs originating in Southeast Asia are expanding into other regions and are increasingly linked to human trafficking networks. International reports have also suggested that Chinese nationals are among those involved in leading roles within some of these groups.
China has amended its criminal laws to strengthen action against cybercrime and has carried out cross-border cooperation with countries including Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Myanmar, and Cambodia to repatriate suspects and dismantle criminal operations. Beijing has also proposed broader international cooperation frameworks aimed at addressing transnational cybercrime networks.
As joint operations between China and Sri Lanka continue, sources maintain that cybercrime networks remain active in the country, including in locations identified in their allegations, despite arrests, investigations, and ongoing bilateral cooperation.
