Five Members of the Underworld Group, Including Kehelbaddara Padme, Brought Back to Sri Lanka

31-Aug-2025

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Five key figures of the underworld group arrested in Indonesia, including Kehelbaddara Padme, were brought back to Sri Lanka under heavy security on the night of August 30, according to Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Woodler.

During their transfer, tight security was deployed inside and outside the Katunayake International Airport. Public Security Minister Ananda Wijeyapala, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, officers of the Special Task Force, senior officers of the Criminal Investigation Department, media spokesperson Woodler, and several others were present at the airport to oversee the operation.

Earlier on the morning of August 30, a special police team had left for Indonesia to bring back the arrested underworld members. 

Since a CID team was already stationed in Indonesia, joint operations were quickly carried out to extradite Kehelbaddara Padme and others back to Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, the underworld group was flown from Jakarta to Katunayake under heavy security, with the flight departing around 3:30 p.m. and landing at Katunayake Airport at 7:20 p.m. the same evening. They were then taken into police custody for further investigations.

Meanwhile, the wife and child of Beko Saman, another suspect arrested in Indonesia on charges of organized crime, had already been brought back to Sri Lanka on 29 August 2025 and are currently under investigation.

Police have begun inquiries into properties allegedly acquired illegally by Kehelbaddara Padme and his associates. 

It has been revealed that he has used unlawful funds to purchase several movable and immovable assets in Sri Lanka. Further investigations are also being conducted into properties linked to Kehelbaddara Padme and Commando Salindu.