Three men suspected of involvement in organised crime, arrested in Malaysia last month, are being flown back to Sri Lanka on Monday under a special security operation.
Ada Derana reported the group is due to land aboard flight UL 317 at 4.00 p.m., escorted by a police team led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Rohan Olugala. Daily Mirror reported the suspects will be handed to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation on arrival.
Among them is the man known as “Ratmalane Saima”, described by both outlets as a close associate of the alleged organised crime figure known as “Kanjipani Imran”. Ada Derana reported an Interpol Red Notice had been issued against him, and that the men are wanted in connection with several murder cases and other organised criminal activity.
How the arrests were made
Daily Mirror reported the operation was run jointly by Interpol, Malaysian police and a Sri Lankan team, working through the Sri Lankan Embassy in Malaysia. It said the effort began several weeks ago when ASP Olugala, director of the Walana Anti-Corruption Force, and ASP Wasantha Pitiyakumbura of the Legal Division travelled to Malaysia to help trace the suspects.
Investigators told the paper that “Ratmalane Saima” had allegedly served as a key operator in a drug network linked to Imran, and that he was believed to have built substantial wealth through the narcotics trade, including ownership of a five-storey hotel in Thailand. Those claims have not been tested in court, and no charges have been made public.
The wider effort against overseas suspects
The three were arrested in Malaysia in late July, in an operation NewsFirst later reported had involved CID officers directly. Police said at the time the men were expected to be returned within the week.
Sri Lankan police have repeatedly said senior figures in the country’s drug networks direct operations from abroad while staying beyond the reach of local courts. In May, 21 wanted Sri Lankans were deported from Dubai and arrested on arrival at Mattala, several of them subject to Interpol Red Notices.
Update — police detail the suspect’s alleged role
The three landed in Colombo on Monday afternoon, and police later released substantially more detail about the main suspect.
He was named as Dhanushka Kaushalya, 41, of Ratmalana, who police said had also lived for periods in Peradeniya and Tissamaharama. He is said to have fled to Malaysia about ten years ago.
Investigators allege he handled financial affairs for Kanjipani Imran and managed the distribution of Imran’s social media posts and audio recordings. They also allege he helped another suspect, known as “Kehelbaddara Padme”, to hide in Malaysia on Imran’s instructions.
Before joining Imran’s network, according to Ada Derana, he had worked with the organised crime figure known as “Kudu Anju”, who police believe is in France. He is said to have switched sides after learning of an alleged plot by Kudu Anju to kill him. Police now suspect Kudu Anju ordered the killing of a relative of Kanjipani Imran in Maligawatte the same day.
Outstanding cases
Police said the suspect is a defendant in two cases before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court, both from the Peradeniya police division: the alleged abduction at gunpoint and assault of a man in 2014, causing serious injuries, and a shooting in 2016 in which a person was killed. Open warrants were issued after he failed to appear in court.
He was also arrested by Mount Lavinia police over a 2003 robbery case heard before the Colombo High Court, and again in 2007 for alleged possession of a hand grenade.
The two men returned with him were identified only by age and address — a 35-year-old from Ratmalana and a 31-year-old from Mount Lavinia. The Daily Mirror reported the operation was carried out by officers of the Walana Central Anti-Corruption Strike Force with Malaysian and international police co-operation. Ada Derana said the Inspector General of Police is directly overseeing the investigation.
None of these allegations has been tested in court.
Update — August 11: handed to Peradeniya Police, two others due in court
The main suspect was handed over to the Peradeniya Police on Monday night, the Police Media Division said, rather than to the Criminal Investigation Department as the Daily Mirror had earlier reported was planned.
Ada Derana and NewsFirst both reported the handover on Tuesday morning. The transfer follows the two cases pending against him before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court, both arising from incidents in the Peradeniya police division — the alleged abduction at gunpoint and assault of a man in 2014, and a fatal shooting in 2016.
The two other men returned with him from Malaysia are scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Police said investigations into both are continuing.
Update — August 11: 48-hour detention order
The main suspect has been ordered detained for 48 hours for questioning, the Police Media Division said.
The order was issued after he was produced before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, following his handover to the Peradeniya Police the previous evening.
Police described him as a 41-year-old resident of Ratmalana and an accused in two cases already before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court.
Sources: Ada Derana, Daily Mirror, Ada Derana — crime network details, Daily Mirror — Interpol Red Notice suspect returned, NewsFirst, Ada Derana — handed over to Peradeniya Police, August 11, NewsFirst — handed over to Peradeniya Police, August 11, Ada Derana — 48-hour detention order, August 11.
