Police arrest close associates of drug kingpin

By Skandha Gunasekara

Two suspects connected to underworld figure Makandure Madush were taken into custody on Wednesday by the Police, along with weapons.

According to the Police media unit, the operation was conducted by the Organised Crimes branch, and the arrests were made in Homagama and Bandaragama.

The two suspects were Harsha Chandana Vithanage (35) from Galawala Road, Homagama and Wijethunga Amaradivikarachchige Nirosh Thushara (36) a resident of Kohonnawala, Gammanpila, Bandaragama were arrested on Wednesday night.

The two raids were carried out by the Special Task Force.

A T-56 rifle with 24 rounds of live ammunition and a pistol with five rounds of live ammunition were also confiscated during the raid.

The suspects have also been connected to the murder of an individual on 14 August in Ratnapura.

The two suspects are believed to be close associates of an underworld drug kingpin going by the alias Makandure Madush, and are believed to be heavily involved in local narcotics racketeering.

The two suspects are to be produced before the Homagama Magistrate Courts and are expected to be detained for further questioning till 4 September.