Over 90 organised crime suspects still abroad: Minister

Colombo, June 26 (Daily Mirror ) - A total of 96 organised crime suspects wanted under Interpol Red Notices remain in hiding overseas, with Sri Lankan authorities continuing efforts to bring them back to the country, said Public Security Minister Anand Wijepala.

Speaking to the media, the Minister said authorities have so far identified the whereabouts of 37 of the 96 suspects. Of them, 19 are believed to be in the United Arab Emirates, 11 in India, while one each has been traced to Malaysia, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Russia, Italy and Saudi Arabia.

Minister Wijepala said that over the past 20 months, Sri Lankan authorities have succeeded in repatriating 58 suspects, including 23 who were the subject of Interpol Red Notices and another 35 who were returned through other means.

He further revealed that a total of 232 individuals are currently wanted under Interpol Red Notices, of whom 96 are linked to organised crime. 

“Authorities are continuing to work with international law enforcement agencies to locate and extradite the remaining suspects,” he added.