Sri Lanka Probes Murder, Arms, and Millions in "Piuma" Case

by Zulfick Farzan 15-02-2024 | 2:30 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police said that drug trafficker Hapuarachchige Don Pium Hasthika, also known as 'Piuma', who was arrested in Dubai and brought back to the country by detectives from the CID, will be held on detention orders.

Police Spokesperson DIG & Attorney-at-Law Nihal Talduwa confirmed the arrest and ongoing investigations into Piuma's alleged involvement in murders and arms trafficking.

Piuma is suspected of being a close associate of notorious drug peddler Kudu Salidu.

He was arrested in Dubai and brought back to Sri Lanka by the Criminal Investigation Department.

Police said that Four arrest warrants were issued against Piuma by the Panadura court.

He is suspected of involvement in the murder of Lakshan Sadaruwan on January 25, 2021.

Another murder accusation against Piuma relates to an incident on June 29, 2020, at the Katubedda junction in Moratuwa, where two people were brutally killed.

Police investigations also revealed financial transactions worth 83 million rupees between Piuma and the elder brother of Kudu Salidu. These transactions are being investigated for potential links to illegal activities.