The key suspect behind the 08 July 2024 double murder of ‘Club Wasantha’ and another individual in the Athurugiriya police division—Lathuwahandi Sujeewa Ruwan Kumara Silva alias ‘Loku Pattie,’ a well-known organized criminal—was brought to Sri Lanka yesterday (04 May 2025) by CID officials via the Katunayake Airport.
Due to many organized criminals and suspects being overseas, Sri Lanka Police, in coordination with INTERPOL, had issued Red Notices to apprehend them. This suspect, wanted for several serious crimes, was recently arrested in Belarus by its security forces.
Investigations have revealed he coordinated crimes from abroad, including:
• Possession and trafficking of 23g of heroin – ongoing trial at Kalutara High Court (2016.05.21, Wellipenna police division).
• Involvement in a shooting and grievous injury case – ongoing trial at Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court (2017.05.09, Piliyandala).
• Possession and trafficking of 299g of heroin – ongoing trial at Kalutara High Court (2017.06.15).
• Possession of a foreign-made grenade, revolver, and ammunition – ongoing trial at Mathugama Magistrate’s Court (2021.10.08, Wellipenna).
Other ongoing cases include:
• Shooting and injuring a person (2022.08.24, Ahungalla).
• Shooting and killing a person (2022.09.23, Ahungalla).
• Murder using a T-56 assault rifle (2022.10.12, Ahungalla).
• Arrest of a suspect with a firearm on the way to assassinate a fish trader (2024.01.18, Ambalangoda).
• Double murder and injuring of four others with a T-56 rifle (2024.07.08, Athurugiriya).
The suspect will be produced before court and held in custody for extensive investigations. (Newswire)
