Sri Lanka Police Arrest Lalith Kannangara Alias ‘Bus Lalith’, Suspect Linked to Organised Crime

As another significant breakthrough in ongoing criminal investigations, Sri Lanka Police have arrested and brought back to the country Lalith Kannangara, alias ‘Bus Lalith’, a suspect allegedly involved in and directing organised criminal activities in Sri Lanka while residing overseas.

The suspect, who had been hiding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was brought to Sri Lanka through the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, in the early hours of today, 25 August 2026.

Sri Lanka Police had obtained an Interpol Red Notice seeking the arrest of the suspect in connection with the criminal activities attributed to him.

Accordingly, in October 2025, the suspect was arrested in Dubai following a coordinated operation conducted by the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Central Criminal Investigation Bureau (CCIB), in close cooperation with the UAE Intelligence Unit and Dubai Police.

Following his arrest, the relevant documentation was formally submitted to the UAE authorities through diplomatic channels, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Sri Lanka and the UAE, with the objective of facilitating his prompt repatriation to Sri Lanka.

Subsequently, a special team comprising officers of the Sri Lanka Police and State Intelligence Service travelled to the UAE and escorted the suspect back to Sri Lanka. He has now been handed over to the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau (CCIB) for further investigations and necessary legal proceedings.

The successful repatriation of the suspect was made possible through close coordination among Sri Lankan law enforcement and intelligence agencies, together with the valuable cooperation extended by the UAE authorities and Dubai Police throughout the process.

The Government of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Police have expressed their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the UAE authorities and Dubai Police for their assistance and cooperation in facilitating the suspect’s return to Sri Lanka.

This operation further highlights the importance of strengthening international cooperation among law enforcement and intelligence agencies, particularly through the exchange of intelligence and coordinated action, in the collective effort to combat transnational organised crime and bring wanted individuals to justice.

The criminal charges against the suspect are as follows:

* On 16.09.2013, assaulting and injuring a person with a sharp weapon within the Hanwella Police Division.

* In 2021, unlawfully entering a business premises in the Neluwaththuduwa area, setting fire to a lorry and causing property damage.

* In 2021, opening fire in front of the residence of the aforementioned businessman in the Neluwaththuduwa area, seriously injuring a person and attempting to murder him after threatening him and demanding money.

* On 16.10.2022, forcibly entering a house within the Hanwella Police Division and attacking three persons with a sharp weapon, causing them serious injuries.

* On 18.12.2022, aiding, abetting and conspiring to commit murder by shooting a person with a firearm in the Crossroads area of Hanwella. Cases relating to this incident are currently pending before the Avissawella Magistrate’s Court.

* On 25.12.2023, shooting and killing two persons within the Padukka Police Division.

* On 04.03.2024, shooting and killing a person within the Hanwella Police Division.

* On 30.09.2024, shooting and killing a businessman residing in Neluwaththuduwa.

* On 06.07.2025, shooting and injuring three persons travelling in a three-wheeler within the Kosgama Police Division.

* On 19.07.2025, providing a T-56 firearm and 25 rounds of ammunition, which had been recovered near a club within the Kollupitiya Police Division, to the arrested suspect.

* On 12.08.2025, shooting and killing a former Pradeshiya Sabha member while he was travelling on a motorcycle within the Meegoda Police Division.

* On 13.08.2025, firing a gun into the air and fleeing the scene in the Muthuhena Road area of Meegoda.

Further investigations will be conducted into the suspect’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking and other organized criminal activities, as well as into assets suspected to have been acquired through illegal means.