Two of the 21 suspects deported to Sri Lanka from Dubai on Friday carried Interpol red notices for drug trafficking, police said on Saturday, identifying the pair as “Wanathe Kudu Duminda” and “Mahawatte Chamara”.
Kudu Duminda is the alleged mastermind of the August 8, 2025 shooting at the Sirisara Uyana housing complex in Borella, which killed two and injured three, Ada Derana reported. He has been handed to the Colombo Crime Division; five of his close associates were also among the deportees. Mahawatte Chamara has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department.
DIG Nishantha de Zoysa, who heads the Colombo Division, said the duo were detained at a party in Dubai during a coordinated multi-agency operation. The Sri Lanka Police have so far brought back between 68 and 70 wanted suspects through similar operations and hold a further 226 active red notices — including 90 against organised criminals — against Sri Lankans believed to be in Dubai, India, Indonesia, Russia and Thailand.
Most of the remaining deportees were arrested in Dubai for recording and circulating social-media footage of Iran’s missile and drone attacks on the UAE, according to Ada Derana. Emirati authorities confiscated cash and gold jewellery before deportation. Two women were among the group and were handed to police stations with cases pending against them.
The flight had initially been diverted to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on Friday morning because of adverse weather on the south-west monsoon front before proceeding to Bandaranaike International Airport, where the arrests were processed. Police said 272 firearms have been recovered in recent operations under the Ratama Ekata anti-narcotics drive, including 83 T-56 assault rifles.
