Sri Lanka working closely with authorities to extradite wanted criminals operating overseas

Colombo, February 26 (Daily Mirror) - Amid rising shootings and crimes involving underworld criminals, authorities have intensified efforts to bring down wanted criminals operating overseas, especially from the UAE. These criminals have been issued Interpol red notices, including those wanted for recent shootings in Sri Lanka.

It has been revealed that Sri Lanka’s police have obtained at least 199 red notices, more than 60 of which target wanted criminals, many of whom are reportedly hiding in the UAE. Others wanted for terrorism, fraud, and money laundering are also included in the red notices. Among them, at least a dozen red notices were issued for women involved in fraud, murder, and drug offenses.

In addition, authorities have obtained nearly 100 blue notices. Blue notices are used to collect information about a person’s identity, location, or activities related to a criminal investigation.

Sri Lanka has entered into extradition treaties with the United States, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Vietnam, China, and the UAE. Sources said that Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed an extradition treaty in November 2022, allowing for the mutual extradition of individuals wanted for criminal offences between the two countries.

According to the police, 19 wanted suspects, for whom red notices were issued, have recently been extradited to Sri Lanka, with many brought from the UAE and India.

Last week, three organized crime suspects who had fled Sri Lanka and were hiding in Dubai were extradited to the country by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers. These individuals were identified as suspects wanted for criminal activities.

Sources also said that Dubai is no longer a safe destination for criminals to hide, as Sri Lankan and UAE authorities are working closely to take measures to identify and bring the wanted suspects to Sri Lanka.

It has been reported that many of the shootings recently reported in the country are linked to underworld disputes. The recent shooting incidents at the Colombo Hulftsdorp Magistrate's Court, Middeniya, and Kotahena were orchestrated by underworld figures hiding overseas.

The suspect arrested in connection with the assassination of "Ganemulla Sanjeewa" has reportedly confessed that the assassination was orchestrated by underworld figures known by the aliases "Kehelbaddara Padme," "Commando Salinda," and "Avishka," who are allegedly operating overseas.

Meanwhile, according to police, at least 11 shooting incidents have been reported across the country so far this year, with many believed to be the work of organized crime groups.

Police said they have arrested 49 suspects, including gunmen involved in these shootings. They also seized five T-56 firearms, six pistols, and several vehicles linked to the recent shootings.