Police probe alleged assassination plot

The Athurugiriya Police have initiated an investigation following a complaint that underworld groups plotted to assassinate Tissa Ravindra Perera, the Deputy News Editor of the Aruna newspaper, along with his family.

The threats were reportedly made via a foreign phone number, prompting Perera to file a complaint with both the Athurugiriya Police and the Police Headquarters.  

He claimed that a planned attack by an underworld group against him and his family on February 8,2025, had failed, and he was urged to cease his reporting activities. The threatening phone call occurred on the night of February 9, 2025.  

The journalist has been vocal about organized crime and drug trafficking issues, particularly in relation to a recent radio program titled “Iranian drug transporting ships carrying firearms to Sri Lanka.” During the programme, he discussed the challenges of halting the ongoing violence and emphasized the need to dismantle organized drug trafficking networks and resume operations against underworld criminal groups.  

Following the broadcast, Perera reported receiving a surge of calls from unknown numbers, which he perceives as further intimidation.  

 On a previous occasion, Mr. Perera reported to the court after informing the Cinnamon Gardens Police about a threat he received via a phone call from abroad. This threat came after he published news exposing the fraudulent activities of ‘Kudulal’s’ underworld gang, which have been ongoing for an extended period in the container tender at the Colombo Port, resulting in significant financial losses for the country.