Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says authorities are working to bring back 96 organised crime suspects who are currently hiding abroad after being issued Interpol Red Notices.
Speaking in Parliament, the Minister stated that the locations of 37 of the 96 suspects have already been identified.
According to the Minister:
- 19 suspects have been located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- 11 suspects are believed to be hiding in India.
- One suspect each has been identified in Malaysia, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Russia, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.
Minister Wijepala said that over the past 20 months, Sri Lankan authorities have successfully brought back 58 suspects from overseas.
Of these, 23 suspects were extradited or deported through the assistance of Interpol Red Notices, while the remaining 35 suspects were returned through other legal and diplomatic procedures.
The Minister revealed that a total of 232 individuals have been issued Interpol Red Notices, including 96 suspects linked to organised crime.
He stated that many of these suspects are believed to be directing large-scale drug trafficking and other organised criminal activities in Sri Lanka while operating from foreign countries.
The Minister added that law enforcement agencies are also taking legal action against local associates connected to these criminal networks.
In addition, authorities have launched efforts to identify, trace, and confiscate assets suspected to have been acquired through illegal activities as part of the government’s ongoing campaign against organised crime and narcotics trafficking.
Minister Wijepala emphasized that the government will continue working with international law enforcement agencies to locate and return wanted suspects to face justice in Sri Lanka.
