Harak Kata's chief henchman 'Midigama Chooti', arrested in Oman, brought to the island

The 38-year-old suspect, Rajapaksha Pathiranage Prabath Madusanka alias 'Midigama Chooti', an operative of an international drug network and a member of an organized crime gang, was brought to the island this morning (30) from Oman. A special police team led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) went to Muscat, Oman, and took custody of this criminal, and he was brought to Katunayake Airport today at 4:27 AM on a SalamAir flight, OV-437.

After recording the necessary initial statements from the suspect at the airport premises, security forces have taken steps to transport him to the Colombo Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters for further investigations. A Red Notice had also been issued against him through Interpol, and accordingly, he was arrested by Omani security forces while hiding in a luxury hotel in Oman, and the Sri Lankan authorities were officially informed. Concurrently, the Sri Lankan branch of Interpol had also taken steps to forward the suspect's criminal record to the Interpol branch in Oman.

This suspect is facing trials in several courts across the island for numerous serious charges, including murders, robberies, illegal possession of firearms, and drug trafficking committed within Sri Lanka. Information has been confirmed that he orchestrated several murders and shootings that occurred in the Southern Province during the recent past, while hiding in Middle Eastern countries.

According to Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Udaya Kumara Wuttler, the arrested 'Midigama Chooti' is the driver and main henchman of 'Harak Kata', a powerful underworld leader in the country. While Harak Kata, who was arrested in Madagascar in 2023 and brought to this country, was detained at the Criminal Investigation Department, a massive operation to break him out from there in September of that year was planned by 'Midigama Chooti' and 'Midigama Ruwan', another relative of Harak Kata, at a great expense. After Midigama Ruwan was arrested in Dubai in May last year, Harak Kata's entire drug network has been operated by Midigama Chooti, who was brought to the country today.