Notorious Sri Lankan underworld figure and drug kingpin Janith Madushanka, widely known as “Podi Lassie,” has been apprehended in Mumbai, India, after fleeing Sri Lanka in violation of his bail conditions.
Interpol officially informed Sri Lankan authorities about the arrest, which was facilitated by direct collaboration between Sri Lanka’s Acting IGP and Indian law enforcement agencies, as confirmed by Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga.
Background
- Bail Violation: “Podi Lassie” fled Sri Lanka after being granted bail by the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court on December 9, 2025, under strict conditions.
- Pending Charges: He faces multiple charges, including drug trafficking with alleged assistance from officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), and has been implicated in several criminal cases.
- Threats Against Officials: He was previously remanded at the high-security Boossa Prison for over two years, where he reportedly issued public death threats against former President Maithripala Sirisena, the then Defence Secretary, and senior Prisons Department officers.
Next Steps
Authorities are expediting extradition procedures to bring the suspect back to Sri Lanka, where he will face legal action for violating bail conditions and for the serious allegations against him.
This arrest marks a significant step in Sri Lanka’s efforts to tackle organized crime and drug-related offenses, signaling enhanced regional cooperation in law enforcement.
