A close associate of notorious organised criminal suspect ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake yesterday (3) before he boarded an outbound flight.

The arrested suspect has been identified as Dissanayake’s Devanmini Dissanayake, alias ‘Gampaha Deva.’

The suspect was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at around 8.10 a.m. while attempting to depart for Thailand. The Police stated that the suspect is a 39-year-old resident of Gampaha and is believed to be connected to multiple murders and other criminal activities reported across the region.

The suspect is handed over to the Western Province North Crime Division for further investigation. Law enforcement agencies have strengthened border control measures to prevent organised crime suspects and wanted individuals from leaving the country.