We are walking towards a thriving nation and a beautiful country.

As Sri Lankan citizens, we work hard, pay taxes, and obey the law of the land in order to reach this final destination. But what if a handful of individuals cause damage to expensive public property that costs millions of rupees? What if this money needs to be paid by the taxpayers for the second or third time? What if they get away with existing punishments which are not adequate at all? We are talking about vandalizing and stealing public property by drug addicts.

Last week, the Police announced that parts removed from the railway line where a train derailment occurred had been sold for Rs. 3,000, and the individual who purchased the items was also arrested after his identity was traced. The suspect was a 25-year-old male drug addict. He had removed crucial parts from the railway line in connection with the accident that occurred between Kelaniya and Wanawasala railway stations on May 16.

Based on information provided by the suspect, the police were able to identify and arrest the person who purchased the stolen items. The CCTV footage very clearly showed how the culprit brought those stolen parts and sold them to the shop. The police raided his home and found all the equipment he used to steal parts of public property. Maybe this was not his first theft.

During the past several decades, all previous Sri Lankan Governments and the current Government spent billions of rupees to develop public facilities all over the country. During the past several decades after independence, some Sri Lankan people, especially drug addicts, vandalized public property without any control. All previous regimes just ignored this tragedy and let all perpetrators do their ‘evil work’ without any problem by ignoring them, not arresting culprits, and not implementing the law against them properly. Instead of arresting them and implementing the law against them, those regimes punished the public by not repairing and replacing vandalized public property. But fortunately, the current Government has started to arrest criminals and implement the law against them. This is a highly commendable step.

Alleged Damage

Just before the New Year, the Police arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged damage to property at the Pettah Central Bus Stand, following a complaint lodged by the Welfare Department of the bus stand. The incident relates to damage caused to the recently renovated premises of the bus stand, which was reopened for public use on April 8, 2026.

Following investigations, officers attached to the Pettah Police arrested a 33-year-old suspect in the Kelaniya area on April 11. During the arrest, police also recovered a portion of the allegedly stolen property. The suspect, a resident of Kelaniya, was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court and remanded until April 17, 2026. The Sri Lanka Air Force provided an assessment report on the extent of the damage caused to the property.

Before the current Government came into power, several incidents were reported of drug addicts stealing nails fitted into flyovers, railway tracks, etc., but such grave crimes were just ignored and no efforts were made by the relevant authorities to arrest those criminals and implement the law against them. Only one or two suspects were arrested once in a while here and there, but there was no proper plan to arrest all such criminals and implement the law against them. No action was taken by any previous regime to amend existing laws, which are not adequate at all to deal with such crimes. This encouraged all such criminals to continue their crimes, vandalize public property, and steal from it to find money to buy illicit drugs without any hesitation.

The main reason for vandalizing public property in Sri Lanka is the assurance such criminals had of not getting caught and not being punished. But fortunately, modern technology (CCTV) and the efforts of the current Government have changed this situation. However, there is a long way to go because arrests need to be expanded to all other parts of the country and 24/7 CCTV surveillance needs to be arranged. This is a costly project for a country like Sri Lanka. But there is no other solution.

Contributing Factors

Studies suggest a high percentage (80 to 90 percent) of vandalism is carried out by males, often peaking during the teenage years. Alcohol is frequently a contributing factor, reducing inhibitions and increasing impulsive destructive behaviour. Public, government-owned, or neglected property is frequently targeted as a safe or symbolic target.

People vandalize public property for a variety of reasons, primarily driven by emotional expression, social factors, and boredom. Key drivers include expressing anger or frustration toward authority, seeking thrills, etc. Many acts are motivated by anger, revenge, or a desire to vent frustration against society. It is often used as a way to feel a sense of control. Often seen among younger people, destruction can be a game, a way to pass time, or an act of bravado to show off to peers. If an area is already rundown, it may encourage further damage because it feels like no one cares.

Vandalizing public property in Sri Lanka is a serious criminal offense governed by stringent legislation, primarily the Offences against Public Property Act. The Offences against Public Property Act, No. 12 of 1982, provides the primary legal basis for prosecuting acts of vandalism, theft, or mischief related to state-owned assets.

Conviction for causing “mischief” (damage or destruction) to public property carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of one year, extending up to 20 years. Offenders are liable for a fine of either Rs. 1,000 or three times the value of the damage caused, whichever is higher. Under Section 8, if the damage or theft exceeds Rs. 25,000, bail is generally not granted unless exceptional circumstances are recorded.

Prison Sentence

But when considering the current situation prevailing in Sri Lanka, the above punishments are not adequate at all. This law needs to be amended to match the requirements that exist in 2026. The minimum prison sentence can be increased to at least five years or more, and the existing minimum one-year prison sentence is not adequate at all. The fine, either Rs. 1,000 or three times the value of the damage caused, whichever is higher, also needs to be changed. It should be at least Rs. 100,000 or at least 100 times the value of the damage caused, whichever is higher. These changes are a must because it is the innocent poor taxpayers of this country who pay taxes to repair or replace the damage. The best example is the Kelaniya–Wanawasala derailment. The damage caused to the signal system alone amounts to two million rupees!

Recent reports highlight frequent incidents of vandalism affecting critical infrastructure and public amenities. Frequent damage includes ripped bus seats, vandalized train fixtures, and broken facilities at terminals such as the Colombo Central Bus Stand. The Colombo Lotus Tower has faced recurring issues with visitors scribbling or carving names into the property. Fencing and recreational fixtures along Beira Lake’s linear park, especially public toilets and washrooms, have also been targeted.

Vandalism can be reported to the nearest police station. Authorities such as the Urban Development Authority (UDA) conduct internal valuations of damage to initiate legal proceedings.

Vandalism is not just minor damage; it carries financial costs for repairs and impacts the community’s quality of life and sense of safety. This is why the negative attitude toward protecting public property needs to be changed from kindergarten onward. Changes should begin at kindergarten level, and no positive change can be achieved without doing so. Tough laws may change adults, but such laws alone are unable to change people’s negative attitudes toward protecting public property. The simple reason is that ‘grown trees cannot be straightened.

By Nadira Gunatilleke

(The article was published in the Daily News)