• A key suspect in the murder of ‘Club Wasantha’, and other major crimes 

The Police states that steps will be taken to detain and question notorious organised criminal figure Sujeewa Ruwankumara De Silva alias ‘Loku Pattie’, who was repatriated to Sri Lanka from Belarus yesterday (4), depending on the necessity.

According to Ada Derana, he was repatriated on a plane belonging to an airline from Dubai, UAE, at around 7.45 a.m. yesterday. He was recently arrested in Belarus, after which Sri Lankan authorities took steps to issue international warrants for his arrest.

Commenting on the ongoing investigations related to De Silva, Police Media Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Buddhika Manatunga said that the relevant investigations have confirmed that the suspect was involved in the recent murder of businessman Wasantha Perera alias ‘Club Wasantha’ in Athurugiriya as well as several other murders, possession of drugs and firearms, among other crimes. 

He added that the suspect is a top-level criminal who has been wanted for many offenses. Accordingly, legal action will be taken against him in the future.

Manatunga further noted that the suspect is the 11th wanted criminal brought back to Sri Lanka over the past four months. He further stated that the process of bringing back criminals who committed crimes in Sri Lanka and fled to foreign countries will continue.

Silva is the main suspect of the shooting and killing of Perera at a tattoo shop in Athurugiriya on 8 July 2024. He is suspected to have orchestrated and funded the assassination.