Sri Lankan Underworld Leader 'Pushpe' and Wife Arrested in India and Handed Over to Authorities

 

A notorious Sri Lankan underworld leader, 'Pushpe,' and his wife have been arrested by Indian police and handed over to Sri Lankan authorities. The suspect, accused of serious crimes including drug trafficking, illegal firearm possession, and attempted murder, was taken into custody by a special unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) upon arrival at Katunayake International Airport early this morning (16).

According to Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Manathunga, the suspect, identified as Pushparaj Vigneshwaram (30), a resident of Jampata Street, Colombo 15, was arrested with the cooperation of Indian authorities, along with his 25-year-old wife.

One of the main charges against him includes an attempted murder case from April 21, 2022, within the coastal police division. A court-issued open warrant was active against him, which played a key role in his arrest. Additionally, he was previously arrested on January 6, 2018, by the Colombo Crimes Division for the illegal possession of a locally manufactured revolver. Furthermore, on March 25, 2017, he was charged with possessing cannabis within the Kotahena police division.

Police records indicate that the suspect has been repeatedly arrested for heroin possession within the Kotahena police division. He has also been involved in organizing illegal gambling operations and unlawfully possessing firearms.

CID officers revealed that the suspect had fled Sri Lanka and gone into hiding in India. Following a special request from the Sri Lankan police, Indian authorities arrested him. Upon a formal request from the Sri Lankan government, both the suspect and his wife were deported.

The couple is scheduled to appear before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today, and further investigations will be conducted by the CID, according to the Police Media Spokesman.