Suspect wanted for underworld hit jobs extradited from Dubai

By Hemantha Randunu

Piyum Hasthika alias Piyuma, a member of the gang led by a drug kingpin named Kudu Salindu, was extradited from Dubai yesterday.Hasthaka, 26, is supposed to have managed Salindu’s narcotics operations in Sri Lanka and Dubai. He had carried out several murders, arms trade, etc., on the instructions of Salindu. police said.

A resident of Alubomulla, Hasthika has been involved in criminal activities since 2020, according to the police. He was involved in the killing of a youth named Lakshan Sandaruwan on 25 January 2021 in Panadura – North. He rode the motorcycle that carried the assassin. He fled to Dubai on 04 February 2021 to avoid arrest.

On 09 June 2022, Hasthaka planned the murder of two persons, Nilantha Kumara and Mohommad Sawood at Katubedda Junction, Moratuwa.Interpol issued a red notice on Hasthaka following that crime.

He is also said to have managed Salindu’s drug operation, after the latter’s arrest.Dubai police, who arrested Hasthika for an offence committed in in the UAE, found that there was a red notice on him. They contacted the CID.

CID officials went to Dubai and brought Hasthaka back on Thursday. He is being detained at the CID Headquarters.Police found in Hasthaka’s local bank account records of transactions amounting to Rs 85 million carried out during the past six months.