Public Security Minister Anand Wijepala says 96 organised crime suspects who are the subject of international red notices remain in hiding across several countries, with authorities working to bring them back to Sri Lanka.
Speaking today, the minister said 37 of the 96 suspects have already been identified, including 19 in the United Arab Emirates, 11 in India, and one each in Malaysia, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Russia, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
He said Sri Lankan authorities have repatriated 58 suspects over the past 20 months, including 23 through international red notices and another 35 without such notices.
According to the minister, a total of 232 individuals are currently subject to international red notices, of whom 96 are linked to organised crime.
Wijepala said many of the suspects are believed to be directing drug trafficking operations from overseas and that legal action is also being taken against their associates in Sri Lanka. He added that authorities are taking steps to identify and confiscate assets allegedly acquired through illegal activities. (Newswire)