Govt. vows full probe into political links with underworld

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

The police have commenced questioning five organized criminals including Kehelbaddara Padme, following their extradition to Sri Lanka from Indonesia, the Daily Mirror learns.  The suspects are currently being detained and questioned at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Western Province North Crime Division. Indonesian police officers who played a key role in the arrest of underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme and four other Sri Lankan organized criminals were felicitated and presented with awards at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Saturday night. 

The officers, along with Sri Lankan police personnel who participated in the joint operation, were commended by Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala and IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya for their contribution. The five suspects, arrested in Indonesia on August 27, were brought back to Sri Lanka on Saturday night. The Indonesian officers who led the operation, together with their Sri Lankan counterparts, were officially received at the airport by Minister Wijepala and the IGP.  

K. G. Mandinu Padmasiri Perera alias Kehelbaddara Padme (37) of Kehelbaddara, Udugampala; P. Nilanga Sampath Silva (36) of Panadura and P. Shalintha Madushan Perera alias Commando Shalintha (38) are held at the CID for further questioning.  

Lahiru Madusanka alias Tambari Lahiru (36) of Kudagalara, Middeniya, and N. N. Prasanga alias Backhoe Samantha (35) of Middeniya are detained by the Western Province North Crime Division.  

Police said Kehelbaddara Padme is accused of planning the killing of organized criminal Ganemulla Sanjeewa, who was shot and killed at the Colombo Court premises on February 19, 2025.  

He is also accused of threatening several police officers and judges.  

Commando Shalintha and Nilanga Sampath Silva are accused of involvement in multiple gruesome murders, large-scale drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping and other serious crimes across the country. Charges against Nilanga Sampath Silva have been filed under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act.  

Minister Ananda Wijepala said that a comprehensive investigation is underway into the suspects.  

He alleged that organized crime groups have long flourished in the country with the blessings of politicians, who used them to maintain power and benefited from their resources. “We have found cases where politicians have even used the property of these gangs for their needs,” he said.  

Minister Wijepala stressed that the CID, under the instructions of the Inspector General of Police, will carry out a thorough probe, adding that the Government will not allow such criminal networks to continue oppressing the public.