Police detain 44 underworld gang suspects in crackdown operation

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  
A total of 44 suspected criminals from underworld gangs, who were arrested during the special operation aimed at cracking down on organized criminal activities, are currently being detained for further questioning, police said.  

• Minister says underworld will be destroyed within a few days

The police and the STF launched special operations targeting 20 identified organized criminal gangs in the country under the ‘Yukthiya’ initiative last Tuesday (19), following the concerning increase in organized criminal activities in the Western and Southern Provinces.  
Police mentioned that a total of 44 underworld criminals from notorious underworld gangs led by figures such as ‘Kudu Anju,’ Dematagoda Chaminda, Kanjipani Imran, Keselwatte Dinuka, Ladiya, and Kosgoda Sujee have been arrested as of Saturday during the operation.  
Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said over the weekend that the steps being taken to eradicate narcotics and the underworld from the country will continue.  
“I have continuously warned underworld members to stop their activities because we are chasing them. Otherwise, I have told the STF that if they cannot do that, they should take off their uniforms and leave. These high-ranking officers, police and STF are not just there to stand idle. The gun is not given just to be held in the hand. We will surely destroy the underworld within a few days,” the minister said.