Repatriated underworld leader – Sujeewa Ruwan Kumara de Silva alias “Loku Pattie”, has made a confession to the Western Province (South) Crime Division with regard to the murder of “Club Wasantha”, the ‘Aruna’ newspaper reports.

According to the confession, Club Wasantha was murdered for refusing Kanjipani Imran’s request to hand over money that had belonged to the late underworld figure “Makandure Madush”.

In the past, Club Wasantha had told a ‘YouTube’ channel that he (Club Wasantha) had 02 enemies. One had died while the other had fled overseas. Loku Pattie has pointed out that Club Wasantha was referring to Makandure Madush as the dead enemy and to Kanjipani Imran as the one who had gone overseas.

The suspect further stated that Club Wasantha was in possession of Makandure Madush’s money. After refusing Kanjipani Imran’s request to hand it over and rebuking him, an angered Kanjipani had allegedly orchestrated Club Wasantha’s murder in collaboration with Loku Pattie.

Loku Pattie also revealed that a man known as “Tattoo Malli,” was also used in the crime as he was from his hometown.

After fleeing to Dubai using a fake passport, the suspect had gone to Belarus with another underworld figure named ‘Rotumba Amila’. From there, he was arrested and subsequently extradited. He was brought back to Sri Lanka yesterday.

(Source: Aruna)

Measures are underway to bring back more than 20 wanted criminals who are residing overseas and directing criminal activities here, Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga said yesterday.

He said Interpol red notices have been issued and preparations are underway to bring more than 20 such criminals currently residing in countries like Dubai, India and Canada.

He made this revelation while addressing the media at the Katunayake airport yesterday when notorious underworld criminal ‘Loku Pattie’ was brought back to Sri Lanka from Belarus.

Manatunga said eleven such criminals have been repatriated to Sri Lanka in the recent past with the help of Interpol and relevant foreign governments.

He went on to say that bringing back wanted criminals who are residing overseas was part of the current operations against the underworld, drug traffickers and criminal gangs.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

As part of the on-going state visit to Vietnam, President Anura Kumara Disanayake visited the Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Southeast Asia yesterday afternoon (04), where he paid homage and received blessings.

The President received a warm and heartfelt welcome from the Vietnamese people, who had gathered near the entrance of the temple, waving the national flags of both Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

A large crowd lined the pathway within the temple grounds to catch a glimpse of the Sri Lankan President, expressing their respect and goodwill by waving the two nations’ flags.

Upon reaching the main Buddha shrine, President Disnayake paid his respects. The resident monks then chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the President.

Subsequently, the President paid homage at the Sri Maha Bodhi sapling on the temple grounds, a sacred branch from the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, which was gifted to the Bai Dinh Pagoda and planted there in 2023.

The outer wall constructed around the sacred Bodhi under the technical guidance of Sri Lanka’s Central Cultural Fund was also officially declared open by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on this occasion.

Later the President planted a sapling of the sacred Sal tree within the temple premises, and observed the commemorative plaque marking the occasion.

As a gesture of reverence, President Disanayake presented a memento to the Chief Incumbent of the temple.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with other members of the Sri Lankan delegation, were also present for the occasion.

(President’s Media Division)