Suspect, Salindu Malshika Gunarathne, linked to organized crime and drug trafficking, failed to appear before the Panadura Magistrate’s Court for the third consecutive time today, January 6, 2025.
He had been granted bail on December 19, 2024, in relation to his court case, No. 80950/2021.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Imesha Muthumala, told Times Online that, “Salindu Gunarathne, also known as Kudu Salindu, did not appear before the court today.
“However, the court has issued a further reopened arrest warrant and additionally, the persons who stood as sureties have been ordered to appear in court on the next scheduled date,” SSP Muthumala further added.
According to police sources, the next hearing for the case of suspect Salindu Gunarathna known as Kudu Salindu, who is linked to organized crime and drug trafficking, has been postponed to May 19, 2025.
An open warrant has been issued to locate the suspect, who has been missing since he was granted bail on 19, December of last year.
The court has also issued a notice to one of the individuals who stood as a surety but failed to appear in court today. Additionally, the Panadura Magistrate’s Court has ordered all sureties to be present on the next court date, scheduled for May 19, 2025.
After Salindu Gunarathne was granted bail on December 19, 2024, the court ordered him to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and sign in every Sunday.
However, on the first Sunday following his release, which was on December 22, 2024, Salindu’s lawyers submitted a medical report issued by the medical officer of the Kalutara District, requesting a three day leave for the suspect.The lawyers also stated that their client’s was not in good health and unable to report to the court.
Since then, Salindu Gunarathne, also known as Kudu Salindu, has disappeared.
An arrest warrant has been issued, and the police, along with other law enforcement agencies, are actively searching for him to take him into custody.
(sundaytimes.lk)
(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
