January 21, Colombo (LNW): Four individuals, wanted by the Sri Lankan authorities for their involvement in various criminal activities, have been apprehended by Interpol in a coordinated international effort.
The suspects, who had red notices issued for their arrest, were detained in Dubai and three other countries, according to the Police Media Division.
For security reasons, the identities of the arrested individuals have not been disclosed by the Sri Lankan authorities.
The operation is part of a broader effort to capture notorious criminals who have fled the country and continued their illicit activities, including drug trafficking, while operating from abroad.
In a related development, Sri Lankan authorities had previously submitted a list of wanted criminals to Interpol, seeking international assistance to track down those accused of serious crimes and who were suspected to be hiding in foreign countries.
One of the most high-profile arrests in recent weeks was that of Janith Madushanka Silva, also known as ‘Podi Lassie’, a notorious drug trafficker and organised crime figure.
Silva had been out on bail but illegally fled Sri Lanka despite a court-imposed travel ban. He was recently arrested in Mumbai, India, and Sri Lankan officials are now working closely with Indian authorities to arrange for his repatriation.
In the meantime, investigations by the Sri Lankan Police have revealed that organised criminal gangs are responsible for a significant portion of the shootings that have taken place across the island in 2025.
Out of the eight reported shootings so far, six have been linked to criminal groups. These incidents have resulted in five fatalities and five other individuals suffering injuries that required hospitalisation.
The most recent of these shootings occurred in Mount Lavinia on Sunday (19), where a 24-year-old man, Savidu Tharusha from the Badowita area, was shot and killed by two gunmen on a motorcycle. The assailants, after carrying out the attack near a restaurant on Siripala Mawatha, fled the scene.
However, one suspect was apprehended by Dehiwala Police along with the firearm used in the crime. Later, the motorcycle used in the shooting was discovered abandoned in the Attidiya area on the same day.
Further investigation has linked the victim to the criminal gang of ‘Kos Malli’, who is believed to be hiding in Dubai.
Police also suspect that the shooting may have been orchestrated by another notorious gang leader, ‘Badowita Asanka’, further highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by organised crime in the region.
