Speaking in parliament, JVP MP, Vijitha Herath, claimed that the murder of Makandure Madush, a notorious drug “kingpin” who was under police custody at the Maligawatte Housing complex, was done to protect 80 politicians complicit in drug trafficking.
According to Sri Lanka’s police, Madush who had taken the police officers to the housing complex to recover a stock of heroin was killed when a shootout ensued at the complex. Two police officers were also injured during the shootout.
The reporting on Madush follows the arrest of over a dozen Sri Lankan police officers from the country’s Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) for their alleged involvement in an illegal drug ring.
Read more here: Over a dozen Sri Lankan police officers arrested
According to Herath, the murder of Madush was done to prevent the names of politicians involved in drug trafficking being disclosed in court.
“This is not the first killing of this nature. There have been several other similar killings. The issue is not Madush's killing but the manner he was killed. Joining a programme on a private radio channel over the phone on January 28 he said there were several politicians involved in drug trafficking,” the MP stated.
Herath further added that a senior police officer had also said the Madush had revealed when being interrogated that some 80 politicians were involved in drug trafficking.
Madush was deported from Dubai and arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport in May of last year. Following his arrest, Madush had led the police to hidden weapons caches and heroin, while investigations also led to the arrest of several of his associates.
Read more from the Daily Mirror.
