Eight Arrested, Including Five Women, in Sri Lanka Gambling Den Raid

Police in Karandeniya, Sri Lanka, have busted a large-scale gambling operation, arresting eight individuals, five of whom are women. The raid took place in the Mahagoda Pahalmanana area, targeting an illegal gambling den operating with monetary stakes.

During the police operation, the eight women engaged in gambling fled the scene on eight motorcycles. They abandoned their vehicles in their haste to escape the authorities. Police have secured these motorcycles as evidence and are currently holding them at the Karandeniya police station.

Authorities report that no one has yet come forward to claim the seized motorcycles. The suspects, identified as residents from areas including Alupitiya, Urugaha, and Karandeniya, were scheduled to be presented before the Balapitiya court on July 18, 2026. The police faced significant effort in transporting the eight motorcycles to the station due to the suspects having taken the keys with them when they fled.