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Southern gang leader arrested

The Ambalangoda Police Thursday (09) arrested a leader of the Southern underworld, known as 'Podi Lassie' and one of his gang. Both were armed at the time of their arrest.

'Podi Lassie' is said to have carried out several murders, including a triple murder and had been intimidating the entire Southern Province.

Police were searching 'Podi Lassie' who had an arrest warrant issued against him in connection with the murder of former Chairman of the Rathgama Pradeshiya Sabha, Manoj Mendis, as well as in connection with the triple murder (the shooting to death of the mother, father and child of the same family) at a sales outlet in Madampe. In addition, Police said that, 'Podi Lassie' had been involved in a number of murders which had taken place in Ambalangoda and Elpitiya. When the two suspects, Arumahandi Janith Madhusankade Silva (28), alias 'Podi Lassie' and Kaludewa Udara Sampath (22), were arrested, Police had discovered a T-56 weapon, a micro type pistol and four grams of heroin in their possession.

Police said they were arrested while they were travelling in a luxury red motor vehicle in Meetiyagoda.

The team of Police officers, carrying out investigations, suspects that the murders had been committed because information regarding the heroin racket had been provided to the Police.

Search operations are being carried out to arrest others connected to this gang. Further investigations are being carried out by Inspector of Police Mahinda Willoraarachchi of the Ambalangoda Police Headquarters and Officer-In-Charge of the Crimes Investigation Division Sub-Inspector of Police Balendrasinghe, under the guidance and instructions of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in Charge of the Southern Province W. F. U. Fernando and Deputy Inspector General of Police Kithsiri Jayalath in charge of the Galle District as well as Officer-In-Charge of the Elpitiya Division, Nihal Talduwa.