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Rotumba Upali, Kolonnawa Chandana, and Puwakgahawatte Mahesh arrested in Dubai have been brought back to Sri Lanka
Under a special operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), three notorious criminals with international red notices were successfully taken into custody in Dubai and handed over to Sri Lanka on February 7, 2025.
The arrested individuals—Rotumba Upali, Mahesh, and Chandana—were leaders of underworld assassination gangs.
These three suspects were under investigation for various crimes, including murder, sexual assault, and violent offenses.
The arrested individuals—Rotumba Upali, Mahesh, and Chandana—were leaders of underworld assassination gangs.
These three suspects were under investigation for various crimes, including murder, sexual assault, and violent offenses.
Details of the suspects:
Rotumba Upali (39) – Resident of Puwakwatta, Denkandaliy. He was facing ongoing court trials at the Matara Magistrate's Court and High Court for two murders committed in 2008. He is also accused of a serious crime involving the abduction and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.
Kolonnawa Chandana (40) – Resident of Sri Anandarama Mawatha, Kolonnawa. He was wanted for multiple violent crimes, including murders and property destruction, committed between 2021 and 2023 in the Wellampitiya police jurisdiction. Open warrants were issued against him by the Aluthkade No. 02 Magistrate’s Court.
Puwakgahawatte Mahesh (42) – Resident of Uragasmanhandiya. He was the main suspect in a mass murder that took place on January 22, 2024, in Kahawatta, where five individuals traveling in a Defender vehicle were shot and killed. A warrant had been issued for his arrest by the Tangalle Magistrate’s Court.
The CID’s special task force apprehended these suspects in Dubai with the assistance of Interpol and Dubai law enforcement. They were then flown back to Sri Lanka, where they have been handed over to police stations in Western and Southern provinces, including Akuressa and Beliatta.
Further investigations are being conducted, and the suspects will be presented in court.
Kolonnawa Chandana (40) – Resident of Sri Anandarama Mawatha, Kolonnawa. He was wanted for multiple violent crimes, including murders and property destruction, committed between 2021 and 2023 in the Wellampitiya police jurisdiction. Open warrants were issued against him by the Aluthkade No. 02 Magistrate’s Court.
Puwakgahawatte Mahesh (42) – Resident of Uragasmanhandiya. He was the main suspect in a mass murder that took place on January 22, 2024, in Kahawatta, where five individuals traveling in a Defender vehicle were shot and killed. A warrant had been issued for his arrest by the Tangalle Magistrate’s Court.
The CID’s special task force apprehended these suspects in Dubai with the assistance of Interpol and Dubai law enforcement. They were then flown back to Sri Lanka, where they have been handed over to police stations in Western and Southern provinces, including Akuressa and Beliatta.
Further investigations are being conducted, and the suspects will be presented in court.