Banners in Hanwella for catching Bus Lalith

Lalith Kannangara, also known as 'Bus Lalith', an organized criminal and drug trafficker arrested in Dubai, was brought back to the country this morning via Katunayake Airport by a team of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers. After recording initial statements at the airport, the suspect was handed over to the Colombo Central Criminal Investigation Division for further investigations amidst tight security arrangements.

This 36-year-old individual, residing on Duwa Pansala Road, Kalutara South, has been accused of involvement in numerous crimes including murders, drug trafficking, causing grievous harm, extortion, and arson that occurred within the police divisions of Hanwella, Avissawella, Katukurunda, Padukka, Meegoda, and Kalthota. Furthermore, investigations are underway against him for possessing a stock of powerful C-4 type explosives.

Police Media Spokesman, Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wuttler, stated during a special press conference that this arrest was made based on special information received by the Inspector General of Police on October 25, 2025. The suspect is currently being interrogated under detention orders at the Central Criminal Bureau, and a separate investigation into his illegal assets and properties has also been initiated by the Illegal Assets Investigation Unit.

Furthermore, the police have succeeded in bringing back 42 criminals, for whom Interpol Red Notices had been issued, to the country from 2024 to date, and another 109 individuals with Red Notices are expected to be brought back to the country in the future, the Police Media Spokesman said. In addition, 38 suspects who did not have Red Notices have also been brought to the country, and arrangements have been made to bring in several more in the coming days.

Meanwhile, with the arrest of 'Bus Lalith' in Dubai, the people of Hanwella and surrounding areas expressed their joy by lighting firecrackers, and the Hanwella business community and trade association displayed banners in the area, thanking the security forces, the President, and the government for bringing him back to the country.