Police uncover details on 21 deported suspects from Dubai

Colombo, May 23 (Daily Mirror) - Lanka Police have uncovered extensive information regarding 21 criminal suspects who were deported from Dubai and brought back to the country early Friday morning (May 22), following coordinated operations with authorities in the United Arab Emirates.

Among those deported are alleged underworld figures and drug traffickers known as “Mahawatte Chamara” and “Vanathe Kudu Duminda”, both of whom were wanted by Sri Lankan authorities under Interpol Red Notices. Police said the two suspects had been arrested by UAE authorities during a party held in Dubai.

According to Police, Kudu Duminda is believed to be the mastermind behind a deadly shooting incident that took place in Borella on August 8, 2025, in which two persons were killed and three others sustained injuries. He has now been handed over to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) for further interrogation.

Investigators also identified five close associates of Kudu Duminda among the group deported to Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Mahawatte Chamara has been handed over to the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau for extensive questioning over several ongoing criminal investigations.

Police further revealed that most of the remaining suspects had been arrested in Dubai for allegedly recording Iranian attacks targeting Dubai and circulating the footage on social media platforms.

Authorities stated that UAE security forces had confiscated all valuables in the possession of the suspects, including cash and gold jewellery, before deporting them to Sri Lanka with only their passports and the clothes they were wearing.

The deported group also includes two women, who were handed over to their respective local police stations for further investigations into the allegations against them.