Madush purchased three-star hotel in Dubai with drug money

By Hemantha Randunu and Norman Palihawadane

Police investigations have revealed that drug baron Samarasinghe Arachchige Madush Lakshitha, alias Makandure Madush had purchased a three-star hotel in Dubai for Rs. 40,000 million he had earned from dealing in drugs.

Madush was shot dead allegedly in a crossfire between the Police and other suspected underworld figures at the Maligawatte Housing Complex last week.

Investigations into Madush’s financial transactions have revealed that he owned a 60-room luxury hotel complete with a swim pool, a luxury gym and a banquet hall.

Madush was in Dubai under a false name using a forged passport. He had bought the hotel by using the name of one of his close associates, an Indian national, police said.

Police said they would seek the assistance of Dubai police and INTERPOL in its investigations to ascertain the names of Sri Lankans who had frequented the hotel owned by Madush there as there was information that many Lankans had visited and stayed there. Among those visitors were the names of leading local politicians, film stars and musicians as well as businessmen, police said.