Sri Lanka Police say steps are underway to bring back 89 organised criminals currently hiding overseas after being issued Interpol Red Notices.
Addressing a special police press conference yesterday (May 28), Police Media Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler stated that many of the suspects are allegedly involved in organised crime and drug trafficking operations targeting Sri Lanka.
He revealed that eight suspects hiding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were repatriated to Sri Lanka on Wednesday (May 27) following coordinated intelligence operations.
According to the Police Spokesman, the suspects had been arrested and detained in Dubai and Sharjah over serious criminal offences.
ASP Wootler further stated that another 21 suspects — including 19 men and two women — had been repatriated from the UAE on May 22 and are currently being investigated by specialised police units.
“We took steps to bring these eight suspects from the UAE to Sri Lanka through an intelligence operation. Three of these suspects have been identified as a group maintaining close ties with organised criminals and carrying out certain crimes in Sri Lanka while operating from abroad. Two suspects are involved in large-scale drug trafficking, while three others are linked to various criminal activities in the country,” he said.
He stressed that authorities would not allow individuals involved in crimes in Sri Lanka to evade justice by operating from foreign countries.
“We emphasise once again that we will not allow anyone who commits crimes in this country to go to different countries, evade justice, and continue criminal activities while in hiding,” he stated.
ASP Wootler noted that during the years 2024, 2025, and 2026, Sri Lanka Police had already repatriated 32 suspects through Interpol Red Notices, while an additional 70 suspects had been brought back through cooperation with foreign countries.
“We must also remind that Sri Lanka Police are clearly prepared regarding 89 more Red Notices. We will bring back the remaining 89 suspects to Sri Lanka by working together with various countries,” he added.