The Sri Lankan police stationed in Jaffna said that cases of theft and robberies are on the rise in the peninsula, as the economic crisis in Sri Lanka and a surge of illegal drug use has plagued the North-East.
In all of 2021, 23 robbery incidents and 74 theft incidents were reported in the Kankesanthurai, Parutthurai, Valvettithurai, Ilawalai, Nelliadi, Thellipalai, Achuveli, Palali police stations.
However, in this year so far, 34 robbery incidents and 87 theft incidents have been reported in the same areas.
Last year, 64 robbery incidents and 234 theft incidents were reported in the police stations of Jaffna, Sawakacheri, Urgawaturai, Sunnagam, Manipay, Kodikamam, Koppai, Vattukottai, Nedundiveu.
This year till last month, 53 robberies and 418 thefts have been reported in the same areas so far.
The latest figures come as the unemployment rate in Jaffna has climbed to 21 percent according to Jaffna District Secretary K. Mahesan, who he revealed thousands had registered as job seekers in the district.
Rising drug addiction has also been reported in the district, with as many as 10-drug related deaths are reported to have occurred in Jaffna within the span of the last few months.
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