Police nabs five underworld kingpins in joint international operation

Operation involves Sri Lanka Police, CID, Indonesian Police, INTERPOL, and Indian intelligence agencies; suspects to be repatriated within 2-3 days Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says crackdown marks end of political protection for organised crime; vows end to political-crime nexus Affirms no one is above the law; probes into role of politicians who allegedly enabled criminal networks, investigations extend to assets of detained suspects Says nearly 75 red warrants issued; over 20 underworld figures already brought back in recent months Reveals plan to establish a Special Court for swift prosecution of organised crime cases Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne says law enforcement now operates free from political interference for first time in decades IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya says Sri Lankan criminals remain active overseas, including in Dubai, Oman, Russia, Belarus and France, with further operations planned

- By CHARUMINI DE SILVA

IN a major breakthrough against organised crime, the Government yesterday announced the arrest of five notorious underworld figures, including Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salinda, and Backhoe Saman, following a joint international operation in Indonesia.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala addressing a special press conference at the Government Information Department said the suspects were apprehended in Jakarta during an over seven-day operation involving the Sri Lanka Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Indonesian Police, and INTERPOL, along with support from Indian intelligence agencies.

He said the suspects are expected to be repatriated within the next two to three days.

The Minister stressed that the crackdown reflects the National People’s Power (NPP) administration’s pledge to dismantle the nexus between politics and criminal networks.