Probes underway based on phone records

Police special units have launched an investigation into more than 50 individuals, including politicians, police and security forces personnel, and underworld figures, following the arrest of six of Sri Lanka’s most notorious criminals in Jakarta recently.

The arrests, part of a week-long operation by the CID and Indonesian police with support from Indian intelligence and INTERPOL, include those of underworld leaders Kehelbaddara Padme and Commando Salinda.

Phone records link the suspects to the arrested figures, and police will soon probe their bank accounts and assets. Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said the suspects would be brough back to Sri Lanka and legal proceedings would commence thereafter.

Among the suspects taken into custody are Backhoe Saman, Thembili Lahiru, Panadura Nilanga, and a female associate, reportedly Backhoe Saman’s wife.

IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya on Thursday described the arrests as unprecedented and the Indonesian government’s support. Wijepala hailed the operation as a turning point in tackling organised crime.

The IGP also warned that underworld networks remained active abroad and action would be taken to bring them back. He said, “The law applies equally to all, whether from the underworld, politics, law enforcement, or government.”

By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu