Makandure Madush arrested at BIA after deportation from Dubai

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday arrested the organised crime leader Makandure Madush, who arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) following deportation from Dubai. 

The underworld leader and drug kingpin Samarasinghe Arachchige Madush Lakshitha alias Makandure Madush arrived at the BIA on UL 226 flight at around 5 a.m., the Police Media Spokesman stated.

Makandure Madush, who led organised crime and drug trafficking in Sri Lanka, was arrested by Dubai police along with 30 others at a party on 5 February this year on charges of possession and use of drugs. They were detained after questioning by the Dubai police.

Among the arrested at the party were popular singer Amal Perera, his son Nadeemal Perera, and actor Ryan Van Rooyen. They were deported following the investigations conducted by the Dubai police. Nadeemal Perera, the son of the musician Amal Perera, was sent back to the island first.

The group detained in Dubai were deported to Sri Lanka in batches and they were all arrested by the CID when they arrived at the Airport. Some of the suspects were released after questioning while the others were further detained by the CID or directed to relevant authorities.

Singer Amal Perera and his son Nadeemal Perera were released after questioning while Actor Van Rooyen has been remanded until 9 May after he was produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on 2 May.

A Dubai court rejected a request made by Makandure Madush not to deport him to Sri Lanka while Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court rejected a Fundamental Rights petition filed by a relative of Madush to prevent his arrest when he arrived in the country.

Madush, who was wanted in connection with a large number of murders and large-scale robberies, has been accused of international drug smuggling. He is also accused of shooting and killing former Southern Provincial Councillor Dannyi Hiththatiyage in 2006.