Police narcotics investigators are on the verge of arresting the 37-year-old elder brother of a top national cricketer over his alleged links with organised crime, narcotics trafficking and money laundering, authoritative police sources told The Island.

The suspect, a resident of Mount Lavinia, is alleged to have maintained links with several major drug traffickers and underworld figures operating in Sri Lanka and overseas.

Police said the suspect had twice served prison sentences for violent offences and had subsequently become involved in activities connected with organised crime and narcotics trafficking.

Investigators have also obtained information indicating that the suspect may have aided and abetted those responsible for the killing of 57-year-old Jathunga Priyantha, near the Ratmalana Airport Junction, on August 1, police sources said.

Priyantha was shot dead at point-blank range on Kandawala Road, near the Ratmalana Airport Junction. Two gunmen, who arrived on a motorcycle, carried out the shooting and fled the scene.

Police said investigations had uncovered information linking the suspect to the transportation and distribution of narcotics, allegedly controlled by several underworld figures, including Chuwa Samantha, Kudu Avishka, Russell Smith, Ihalagamage Darshana, alias ‘I.D.,’ and Pandithage Shantha Kumara, alias ‘Kos Malli’.

Investigators at Police Headquarters have also found information suggesting that certain corrupt police officials may have assisted the suspect in return for bribes and other financial benefits, according to police sources.

According to investigators, the suspect is alleged to have used local accomplices and couriers to transport heroin, methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’, Kush and hashish.

The suspect is also alleged to have been involved in laundering money, generated through such criminal activities, with investigators examining his alleged role in moving and concealing proceeds, believed to have been derived from narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities.

Police narcotics investigators have been examining his alleged role in facilitating the movement of drugs, belonging to overseas-based traffickers through local distribution networks, as well as his alleged involvement in handling the proceeds of such activities.

Chuwa Samantha, also known as Adhikari Samanth Perera or Samantha Perera, has been identified by police as a figure associated with organised crime and narcotics trafficking.

Kudu Avishka, also known as Kalubowila Avishka, is another underworld figure whom investigators have linked to large-scale narcotics trafficking from Dubai.

Police have also been investigating alleged links between the suspect and narcotics networks, associated with Shantha Kumara, alias ‘Kos Malli,’ and Russell Smith, both of whom have been described in police investigations and media reports as major drug traffickers, operating from overseas.

Ihalagamage Darshana, alias ‘I.D.’, has likewise been identified by investigators as an underworld figure, allegedly involved in large-scale narcotics trafficking.

Police sources said information gathered during the investigation had been cross-checked and verified and that arrangements were being made for the suspect’s arrest.