COLOMBO, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan authorities have identified six police divisions in the Western and Southern Provinces as high-crime zones, a senior government minister told parliament on Saturday.

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala said the government has launched several measures to curb criminal activity in these locations.

In addition to increasing regular police patrols, officers in plain clothes have been deployed for surveillance, and dedicated elite police motorcycle units are being established in the identified areas, he said.

Wijepala added that while targeted operations are being carried out in high-crime divisions, police across the country are also conducting random checks on residences, vehicles and individuals to locate illegal weapons and contraband.

Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities are also coordinating with Interpol to issue red notices for wanted Sri Lankan suspects living overseas, the minister said.