Police narcotics authorities have launched a major crackdown on law enforcement personnel accused of aiding and abetting a heroin trafficking network operating in the Moratuwa, Lunawa, Angulana and Ratmalana areas, allegedly under the direction of Sri Lankan drug traffickers based overseas.

As part of the investigation, a Sub-Inspector and a Police Constable attached to the Moratuwa Police were first transferred out of the station and have since been interdicted after inquiries revealed their alleged links to a heroin distribution network connected to underworld figure Chamly Devinda Vidanagama, widely known as Ratmalane Devinda.

According to police, Ratmalane Devinda previously managed his narcotics operations from Dubai. However, following the arrest of his close associate Nilanga Sampath Silva alias Panadure Nilanga in Indonesia, Devinda is believed to have relocated to Australia. Panadure Nilanga was apprehended along with five notorious criminals, including Mandinu Padmasiri Perera alias Kehelbaddara Padme, and was repatriated to Sri Lanka in September this year.

Investigators say Devinda is now coordinating his drug network from Melbourne with the assistance of another criminal figure, Janith Hashan Wimalaweera alias Mervyn Jana. Mervyn Jana, who had earlier been remanded on drug-related charges, is currently absconding after being released on bail. Police teams are actively searching for him.

The investigation gained further momentum following the recent arrest of a woman known as Badowita Asha by STF commandos together with officers from the Dehiwala Police. She is accused of retail-level heroin distribution in Ratmalana, Lunawa, Angulana and Moratuwa.

Police said the heroin seized from her bore a distinctive symbol of the English national flag, which is believed to be the trademark used to identify narcotics belonging to Ratmalane Devinda’s network.

Police also revealed that Ratmalane Devinda has been placed on an INTERPOL watch list, and steps are being taken to seek the assistance of Australian authorities for his arrest and extradition. Notably, his parents are former police officers, and investigators believe he benefited from assistance provided by certain law enforcement personnel. Devinda is reported to have entered the narcotics trade with the backing of notorious underworld leader Sinharage Saminda Silva alias Ratmalane Kudu Anju.

Meanwhile, investigators believe the arrested suspect Badowita Asha maintained a close association with Mervyn Jana. Police said Mervyn Jana is also believed to possess critical information regarding officers who allegedly worked closely with and provided protection to the drug network.