The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has disclosed that an underworld figure known as “Loku Patty,” who is implicated in multiple murders and criminal activities — including the assassination plot against former Officer-in-Charge of the Police Narcotics Bureau, Chief Inspector Neomal Rangajeewa — has been forming a group comprised of soldiers who deserted the Army’s Special Forces. Sri Lanka Latest News
Loku Patty’s name surfaced among those suspected of orchestrating the shooting incident at a tattoo studio in Athurugiriya on July 8, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including nightclub owner “Club Wasantha.” The attack is believed to have been coordinated from overseas.
A close associate and disciple of Makandure Madush, Loku Patty is accused of participating in the plot to assassinate CI Rangajeewa, reportedly under a contract given by Madush while residing in Dubai.
He previously served for approximately two years in the Sri Lanka Army’s 7th Infantry Regiment before becoming an infamous underworld suspect following the attempted shooting of CI Rangajeewa in Piliyandala on May 9, 2017. Investigations revealed that he transported the gunman, identified as Army Asitha, to Piliyandala on a motorcycle. His brother, known as “Podi Patty,” is also involved in underworld operations and drug trafficking.
Following his arrest in Medirigiriya over the attempted murder of CI Rangajeewa, Loku Patty was imprisoned for a lengthy period. After securing bail, he fled the country illegally and resided in nations including India and Dubai, where he allegedly continued coordinating large-scale narcotics and organized crime operations linked to Sri Lanka.
At the time of the murder of Club Wasantha, Loku Patty was reportedly in Belarus. He was later detained there by authorities under an Interpol red notice and extradited to Sri Lanka on May 4 last year. Initially held under a detention order at the Southern District Crime Division of the Western Province for nearly three months, he was subsequently produced before court and remanded.
The CID has further revealed that despite being incarcerated at the high-security Boossa Prison, Loku Patty has allegedly been using mobile phones to continue managing his narcotics network and criminal operations. These details surfaced during investigations into “Gandara Kapua,” who was arrested on October 16 for laundering proceeds linked to Loku Patty’s drug activities. CID findings indicate that Rs. 330 million had been transferred through Gandara Kapua’s bank accounts, allegedly connected to drug trafficking revenue.
Information obtained during Kapua’s interrogation also led to the arrest of the individual believed to be the head of Loku Patty’s drug distribution network. The suspect, a former Special Forces soldier, confessed during questioning that he feels trapped and fears for his life.
“I have no escape. Even if I want to escape, there is no chance. They will kill me,”
he reportedly stated during interrogation.
He also indicated that while he has provided a comfortable lifestyle for his wife and children — including sending them to an international school — he now lives in constant fear for both his family’s safety and his own life, uncertain when he might be targeted.
During questioning, he further revealed that Loku Patty has been recruiting Special Forces deserters and claimed to have personally connected approximately 15 to 20 former soldiers to the underworld figure.
Reported by Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe – Dinamina
