"Five Crime Bosses, One International Operation — Game Over!" -- The Inside Story

COLOMBO (News 1st); In a coordinated international operation, Sri Lankan Police, Indonesian authorities, and Interpol successfully apprehended six individuals early this morning in Indonesia, including key figures linked to three major organized crime syndicates.

Among those arrested are notorious gang leaders known as Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salinda, Backhoe Saman, and Panadura Nilanga — all believed to be central figures in criminal networks.

Six individuals, including the notorious Kehelbaddara Padme, were arrested early Thursday (28) morning near Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of a seven-day international joint operation involving Sri Lankan Police, Indonesian Police, and Interpol.

Wednesday evening, officers raided a residential complex located approximately 60 kilometers from Jakarta, but the suspects had narrowly escaped just hours earlier.

Prior to the raid, Kehelbaddara Padme, Panadura Nilanga, and Commando Salintha had relocated to another location — a move captured on CCTV footage.

Later that night, law enforcement officials launched a second raid on another apartment complex near Jakarta, where the suspects were found.

At the time of arrest, the location was occupied by Kehelbaddara Padme, Commando Salintha, Backhoe Saman, Panadura Nilanga, and Tambili Lahiru — all identified as leaders and members of organized crime syndicates.

Also present were Backhoe Saman’s wife, Sajika Lakshani, and their child.

All individuals were taken into custody and handed over to the Jakarta Metro Police for further investigation.

Who Are These Crime Syndicate Leaders?

The six individuals arrested near Jakarta are confirmed to be members of three major organized crime syndicates operating out of Sri Lanka.

These suspects are believed to play a central role in the distribution of heroin, crystal meth (ice), and other narcotics across Sri Lanka.

Authorities also link them to multiple recent homicides, underscoring their deep involvement in violent criminal activity.

Kehelbaddara Padme, real name Mandinu Padmasiri Perera, is affiliated with a Gampaha-based underworld network.

Commando Salintha, another suspect taken into custody, recently operated as a close associate of Padme.

Backhoe Saman, identified as Nirmal Prasanga, is a known figure in the southern underworld. His associate, Tambili Lahiru, was also arrested during the operation.

Both Saman and his wife, Sajika, have previously faced allegations of large-scale drug trafficking.

Nilanga is linked to the Panadura underworld.

He is known to be a rival of “Kudu Salindu”, another prominent crime figure.

Nilanga is accused of involvement in multiple shootings and murders in the Panadura region.

Just hours before his arrest in Jakarta, Nilanga’s fatherin-law was gunned down in Alubogahawatta, Panadura.

What Did They Do? A Closer Look at the Crimes Behind the Jakarta Arrests

The recent arrests in Jakarta of six Sri Lankan nationals linked to organized crime syndicates come against the backdrop of a surge in violent killings that escalated sharply in February.

On February 18, in Middeniya, Aruna Vidanagamage, also known as Kajja, and his two children were gunned down.

The suspects in this triple homicide are Backhoe Saman and Tambili Lahiru.

Just a day later, on February 19, Ganemulla Sanjeewa was shot and killed inside the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court in Colombo.

This brazen attack was allegedly carried out by Kehelbaddara Padme and Commando Salintha.

Following the incident, Salintha publicly claimed the killing was an act of personal revenge.

Investigations later revealed that the van used in Sanjeewa’s murder had previously traveled to Middeniya, the site of Kajja’s murder, just days before the incident.

The vehicle had returned to Colombo the day before the second killing, suggesting a coordinated plan.

These connections led authorities to suspect that both murders were orchestrated by Padme and Backhoe Saman, triggering a wave of retaliatory violence between rival gangs.

In the weeks that followed, sporadic shootings and killings occurred between factions loyal to Padme and Sanjeewa, intensifying the turf war.

During this period, Kehelbaddara Padme was also accused of issuing death threats via phone to Chief Inspector Linton Silva, head of the Western Province North Crimes Division.

These threats reportedly came after the arrests of Padme’s close associates, Gampaha Deva and Walas Kata.

Padme and Salintha continued to challenge rival groups openly, frequently appearing on social media to issue threats and provocations.

In some cases, they posted about upcoming crimes just minutes before they occurred, further escalating tensions.

The arrests in Indonesia were carried out under this volatile backdrop.

According to police, during the early morning operation, the suspects attempted to bribe Indonesian officers in a bid to escape — a move that failed.

Authorities have since seized mobile phones, bank cards, and other devices from the suspects and launched a full investigation.

Locations where the suspects had previously stayed are also being examined.