By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera   

Claiming that a special programme is in place to curb escalating organized crimes in the Western and Southern provinces, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said today discussions are underway to extradite 30 organized criminals who are hiding in foreign countries.   

He told Parliament that eight gunmen were taken into custody in the Western and Southern provinces so far this year where two of them died during confrontations with the police.   
The Minister said while responding to a question by MP Sudarshana Denipitiya that nine riders were also arrested while one of them was killed during confrontations and added that 67 persons who aided and abetted the crimes were also in custody now.