Colombo, Oct. 11 (Daily Mirror) - Charith Sandakelum, alias ‘Ran Malli’, a major drug trafficking suspect allegedly linked to several organised criminal activities in Sri Lanka, has been arrested in Bulgaria, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya said.
The IGP said Interpol had confirmed the arrest, which was made by Bulgarian security forces based on Interpol Red Notices and information available in border security databases. Arrangements are now being made through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring Sandakelum back to Sri Lanka under extradition laws.
A resident of Dikwella, Sandakelum is suspected of directing a local drug trafficking network while living in Dubai for an extended period. He has also been identified as a key member of the drug syndicate allegedly operated by Nadun Chinthaka, alias ‘Harak Kata’, who is currently detained at Tangalle Prison.
According to reports, Sandakelum was arrested while attempting to enter Europe using forged documents to evade international law enforcement authorities.
Following his extradition, the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are expected to conduct extensive investigations into his alleged involvement in the Kirinda ‘Ice’ drug smuggling operation, money laundering and other organised criminal activities.
One of the major cases linked to Sandakelum is the seizure of 345 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’, from Kirinda in November 2025. The consignment, valued at more than Rs. 300 million, was seized during a joint operation conducted by the Western North Crime Division, the Tangalle Crime Division and the PNB at Andagalawella beach in Kirinda on November 12.
Police investigations had identified Sandakelum, who was reportedly in Dubai at the time, as the alleged owner of the consignment. He had instructed several suspects to transport the drugs to different parts of the country, allegedly paying each of them Rs. 500,000 for their involvement.
Eight suspects and six vehicles were taken into custody in connection with the incident, while the Tissamaharama Magistrate's Court granted seven-day detention orders to facilitate further investigations.
Sandakelum is also a key suspect in a major money laundering investigation involving Rs. 13.9 million in suspected drug proceeds discovered in Kottawa in July 2021.
The money was found buried at a rented house in the Pannipitiya area. His nephew, Dinesh Lakmal, who had rented the house, was arrested after investigators uncovered information suggesting that Sandakelum had assigned him to oversee his financial operations in Sri Lanka.
Intelligence reports have also linked Sandakelum to a major deep-sea drug trafficking operation in 2022, when 331 kilogrammes of heroin were seized from the sea near the Great Basses Reef, also known as Maha Ravana Kotuwa, off Hambantota.
The seizure was made during a joint operation involving the Sri Lanka Navy, the Police Special Task Force (STF) and the PNB. Investigators have reportedly identified Sandakelum as the alleged mastermind behind the operation.
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