Sri Lanka, July 8 -- Sri Lanka's law enforcement authorities have intensified large-scale joint search operations across the country in response to a sharp rise in drug trafficking, underworld violence and gun-related crimes, the Daily Mirror learns.

The operations, led by the Sri Lanka Police in coordination with the Special Task Force (STF), Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force, are being carried out as part of a high-priority crackdown aimed at restoring public safety and dismantling criminal networks.

A senior police officer said that the operations are being carried out primarily at night and are kept confidential until the last moment to prevent suspects from escaping.

He said the surprise nature of the raids h...