A series of photographs showing the arrest of five criminals, including underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme, in Indonesia has been released to the media.
According to the footage, Kehelbaddara Padme and Kudu Nilangga were the first to be arrested, followed by Commando Salintha, Bako Saman, and Tembili Lahiru.
The Indonesian security forces recently apprehended these criminals—Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salintha, Kudu Nilangga, Bako Saman, and Tembili Lahiru—while they were hiding in the country.
This was based on information provided by two Sri Lankan Assistant Superintendents of Police, Rohan Olugala and Mahinda Jayasundara.
The operation was carried out with the support of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Jatanras) and Interpol.
The suspects had been hiding in a luxury apartment complex in the Kebon Jeruk area of Jakarta, which was uncovered during police raids.
Investigations revealed, through the assistance of the Sri Lankan officers, that Kehelbaddara Padme frequently visited a nearby fitness center.
Before launching the raid, all the police teams involved held discussions and planned the operation carefully.
Accordingly, when authorities moved in to arrest the group, Kehelbaddara Padme and Kudu Nilangga were taken into custody as they were leaving the apartment complex.
At the time, Sri Lankan police officers were also present with the Indonesian police teams, though they only provided intelligence, since Sri Lankan officers are not authorized to carry out arrests in foreign countries.
Subsequently, with Kudu Nilangga already detained, officers proceeded via an elevator to the floor where the others were located. When the Jakarta police entered the apartment, Commando Salintha was preparing a meal in the kitchen, and he was immediately arrested.
Bako Saman, who was nearby, was also apprehended.
Further searches led to the arrest of Tembili Lahiru, who was found wearing only a sarong.
The arrested suspects were then handed over to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police.
After being detained in Indonesia for several days, the group was later extradited and brought back to Sri Lanka.
