A suspect who had been arrested in India in connection with the seizure of 337 kilograms of heroin and later escaped from the custody of Indian authorities before fleeing to Sri Lanka, has been arrested by the Mount Lavinia Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau today (30).

The suspect was arrested while hiding at a rented house in the Wadduwa area.

Police said the arrest was made following an investigation based on information that a wanted suspect was hiding at a rented residence in Wadduwa.

The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of the Officer-in-Charge of the Mount Lavinia Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau.

The suspect had been wanted under an open warrant issued in 2024 in connection with his escape after being produced before the Marawila Magistrate’s Court.

During questioning, the suspect reportedly revealed that in 2024, he had travelled by boat to Indian waters with several others on the instructions of a drug trafficker known as “Welle Saranga” to collect a consignment of narcotics.

He reportedly said that they received approximately 337 kilograms of narcotics from another boat in waters near the Maldives. While transporting the consignment to India, he and several others were arrested by the Indian Navy.

He further claimed that he managed to escape while being taken to a court in Kochi, India.

After escaping from the court premises, he allegedly stole a bicycle and travelled approximately 900 kilometres from Kochi to Tamil Nadu over a period of nine days.

He reportedly said that after spotting a fishing harbour in Tamil Nadu, he entered the harbour and stole fuel from nine boats before leaving for the open sea on one of the boats.

While at sea, he encountered an Indian fishing boat and asked the fishermen how he could reach Sri Lanka. The fishermen reportedly showed him the direction he should travel.

According to investigators, the suspect said he then travelled for three days, navigating by the direction of the sun.

He later had encountered a group of Sri Lankan fishermen and travelled with them to the Wennappuwa area, he reportedly told police.

He subsequently received treatment at the Negombo Hospital after falling ill. Police later arrived at the hospital and arrested him, according to the suspect's statement.

He was subsequently produced before the Marawila Magistrate’s Court and remanded in custody.

The suspect reportedly revealed that after spending approximately three months in remand custody, he escaped while being taken to the Marawila Magistrate’s Court for proceedings related to his case.

Police further stated that the suspect is due to be handed over to Indian authorities in the future based on a Red Notice issued by Interpol.