45 Sri Lankan organised criminals still at large overseas

• Mostly stationed in UAE and operate heinous crimes in Sri Lanka  
• UAE fully cooperative in nabbing them 

By Dharshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

As many as 45 Sri Lankan criminals –red noticed by Interpol  are stationed overseas - mostly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - and  carry organised criminal activities in Sri Lanka, a top police source  said.   

The government has initiated action to trap and bring them  here for prosecution in terms of the Extradition Treaties signed with  these countries. The source the UAE, as a country, is extending  cooperation in tracking them.   
In recent investigations into the shooting incident in  Athurugiriya, it has been revealed that notorious criminal Kanjipani  Imran masterminded the attack with the assistance of other criminals identified as Loku Patty and Gonakovile Shantha who are hiding in Dubai.  

It has been noted that several wanted criminals and drug  traffickers, who initially sought refuge in Dubai to evade capture while  continuing their illegal activities in Sri Lanka, have now relocated to  other countries.  

Kanjipani Imran, who fled the country after being bailed  out from a court case, is plotting criminal activities in Sri Lanka.   

Recently, Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with  Dubai authorities, arrested some Sri Lankan criminals based on Red  Notices and subsequently extradited them to Sri Lanka. Besides, five  criminals have been arrested in Sri Lanka.   

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) repatriated two  wanted underworld figures allegedly involved in multiple murders and  other illegal activities in Sri Lanka from Dubai.  

The suspects, 48-year-old Dinesh Samantha de Silva alias  “Babi” from Nugegoda and 26-year-old Kankanamlage Dimuthu Chaturanga  Perera alias “Samitpura Chathu” from Samitpura, Mattakkuliya, were  brought back to Sri Lanka at the Bandaranaike International Airport  (BIA) in Katunayake.  A team of four senior police officers from the CID escorted them back from Dubai.  

Police said that ‘Samitpura Chathu’ will be handed over to  the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), while ‘Babi’ will be transferred to  the Homicide and Organised Crime Investigation Division.  

On February 15, 2024, Hapuarachchige Don Piyum Hastika  alias “Piyuma,” identified as a primary accomplice of notorious drug  trafficker Salindu Malshika alias “Kudu Salindu,” was arrested in Dubai  and subsequently extradited to Sri Lanka.  

In May of this year, notorious underworld figure and drug  trafficker Ruwan Jayasekara alias “Midigama Ruwan,” as well as notorious  criminal Ramesh Mihiranga alias “Manna Ramesh,” were arrested by Dubai  Police and extradited to Sri Lanka. “Midigama Ruwan” was arrested based  on an Interpol warrant.