Assets worth nearly Rs. 20 mn linked to ‘Kudu Salindu’ frozen

2026-03-06 - 09:58

Assets worth nearly Rs. 20 million belonging to notorious underworld figure and drug kingpin Salindu Malshitha Gunaratne, who is currently believed to be hiding overseas, have been frozen by authorities. The Illegal Assets Investigation Division stated that the properties are located at the Mahabellana Junction along the Panadura–Ratnapura Road. The frozen assets include a house situated on a 40-perch plot of land, a warehouse complex and a shop. Police said that Kudu Salindu, who had earlier been arrested while hiding overseas and brought back to Sri Lanka, had secretly fled the country again after being released on bail by court. Following an extensive investigation, the Illegal Assets Investigation Division took steps to freeze the properties after uncovering evidence that they had allegedly been purchased using money earned through drug trafficking. In recent years, several fatal shootings were reported in areas under the Panadura South Police, Hirana Police and Pinwatta Police divisions due to an ongoing conflict between factions led by Kudu Salindu and another underworld figure, Panadura Kudu Nilanga. However, police said the clashes have subsided following the arrest of Kudu Nilanga and several others linked to the feud. Authorities stated that Kudu Salindu currently remains in hiding overseas while further investigations by the Illegal Assets Investigation Division are ongoing.