Madush will be dealt with under Dubai Law – PM Wickremesinghe

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today (6) told Parliament that notorious underworld drug kingpin Makandure Madush who was arrested in Dubai on 5 February would be prosecuted under Dubai Law first. Wickremesinghe added that the Dubai Court would take the final decision as to whether he should be deported to Sri Lanka later following a prosecution process.

The Premier made this remark while responding to a question raised by JVP Parliamentarian Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

Dr. Jayatissa queried, "On 5 February, Madush was arrested by a joint operation of the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force (STF) and the Dubai Police. That shows the extraordinary talent and strength of our STF officials. We have the talent we need, but unfortunately Governments have failed to bring Former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunge and Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya back to the country. Could you explain this situation to the House?"

The PM replied saying, "They have to be prosecuted in Courts in the countries where they are now. Those Courts have to take the final decision on them. This person (Madush) will have to face the same procedure."

Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence are currently holding talks with officials in Dubai, to extradite drug dealer and underworld kingpin Makandure Madush, who was reportedly apprehended by the Dubai Police at a hotel on 5 February, the Commandant of the STF, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police M.R. Latheef said.

Speaking to Ceylon Today, he said the CID was also conducting inquiries in connection with Madush and other criminals who were nabbed by Dubai officials.

Latheef also urged the local press to abstain from publishing further reports related to the arrest of the notorious criminal, as the extradition of Madush and other gangsters is primarily a State level task.

It is stated that the STF had played a decisive role in the arrest of Madush and his other accomplices by Dubai Police officers.

The Khaleej Times published in the UAE had reported that among those arrested was a person holding a Sri Lankan diplomatic passport.

In the group of 25 suspects taken into custody by the Dubai Police, a popular local vocalist and an up and coming actor were nabbed and detained in a prison in Dubai, informed Police sources said.

Makandure Madush has been charged with spearheading several high profile killings in Sri Lanka besides being involved in the illegal drug trade.