Lawyers facilitated Kanjipani’s escape from country: Alles

• States there are a few lawyers who are earning billions of rupees from criminals
• Probe reveals ‘Club Wasantha’ was bankrupt

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

Amidst speculation surrounding the escape of underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, who is implicated in the Athurugiriya shooting incident, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles stated that the lawyers who represented Kanjipani played a pivotal role in facilitating his departure from the country immediately following his release on bail.  

“Only the lawyers representing Kanjipani know how he fled the country. We know that there are a few lawyers who are earning billions of rupees from criminals,” Minister Alles said speaking to the media.  

“When we questioned some of these lawyers, they confessed that they escorted Kanjipani and facilitated his escape via boat. This illustrates that certain lawyers benefit from criminals, although not all lawyers are the same. There are some lawyers who are refusing to represent drug cases,” he said.  

Meanwhile, Minister Alles said police have arrested most of the suspects involved in the Athurugiriya shooting, where two individuals, including Surendra Wasantha Perera, also known as ‘Club Wasantha,’ were killed, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.  

The minister revealed that the two gunmen responsible for the shooting have been identified and said that police suspect that they were professional shooters. However, he declined to disclose their identities, citing ongoing investigations.  

Regarding reports of the suspects possibly fleeing the country, Minister Alles said that there are no confirmed reports of such activities, though they may have escaped via boats.  

When questioned about Club Wasantha’s sources of income and allegations of illegal earnings, the minister said, “We believe he operated several clubs. However, investigations have shown that he was bankrupt at the time of his death.”  

Meanwhile, Minister Alles responding to claims that Club Wasantha had received money from the deceased underworld figure Makandure Madush, said that investigations have not revealed these reports.   

Clarifying reports that Madush and Kanjipani Imran were arrested in Dubai based on information provided by Club Wasantha, the minister said that Madush was not arrested on information provided by Club Wasantha.