August 28, Colombo (LNW): Two of Sri Lanka’s most notorious criminal figures are expected to be extradited from Indonesia within the next few days, in what authorities have described as a significant step in the country’s ongoing crackdown on organised crime.
The announcement was made by Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala during a media briefing held today (28).
The individuals in question, known by their underworld aliases ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ and ‘Commando Salinda,’ were apprehended during a week-long international operation carried out jointly by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Indonesian law enforcement agencies.
Intelligence assistance was also reportedly provided by Indian security services.
Minister Wijepala highlighted the arrests as a demonstration of renewed independence and professionalism within Sri Lanka’s security institutions—a shift he claims has been actively cultivated by the current administration.
He criticised past political interference in law enforcement, noting that criminal networks had long flourished under the protection of certain political actors.
“Justice must not be selective,” the Minister stated, reiterating the government’s commitment to dismantling the political-criminal nexus that, for years, allowed illicit networks to operate with impunity.
He revealed that inquiries are underway into the financial dealings of the suspects, and preliminary findings point to deep-rooted links between organised crime and elements of the political establishment.
The Minister further disclosed that nearly 75 international red notices have been issued against Sri Lankan nationals involved in serious criminal activities abroad, with over 20 already repatriated and now facing legal proceedings on home soil.
The process of returning the suspects currently in Indonesian custody is in its final stages, with arrangements being made for their transfer to Sri Lankan authorities.
Underscoring the broader political message, Minister Wijepala declared that the government’s vision is to create a nation where the rule of law prevails—regardless of social standing, political connections, or institutional affiliation.
“No one is beyond the reach of the law,” he asserted. “We are building a society where justice is not an abstract concept but a lived reality. Our commitment is not only to public safety but also to ensuring that the principles of fairness and accountability shape the way this country is governed.”
He concluded by reaffirming that tackling organised crime is essential to creating a safer, more equitable Sri Lanka—one where the law applies equally to every citizen, from the most powerful to the most vulnerable.
