The brother of Pookudikanna, a notorious underworld criminal involved in drug trafficking, was arrested by Indian security forces at Chennai Airport while preparing to travel to Dubai. Following an intelligence operation, he was deported to Sri Lanka.
After being held in India for a few days, he was scheduled to be flown back to Sri Lanka early today (13). Sri Lankan Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers were prepared to arrest him upon arrival at the airport.
Pookudikanna’s brother has multiple pending court cases in Sri Lanka related to drug trafficking. Arrest warrants had been issued against him for failing to appear in court.
Due to underworld conflicts, Pookudikanna fled Sri Lanka to India, and his brother later followed by air, seeking refuge under his protection.
During a 2015 operation by Indian security forces, several Sri Lankan underworld figures, including Kimbula Ela Guna, were arrested, with Pookudikanna among them. Fearing for his safety, his brother secretly returned to Sri Lanka by boat but stayed only briefly before obtaining a foreign passport under a false identity and returning to India.
Indian intelligence agencies have intensified their operations due to threats to national security posed by drug traffickers collaborating with Pakistan. As a result, several Sri Lankan criminals hiding in India have been arrested in recent times. These individuals are then deported to Sri Lanka through coordination between the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force (STF) and Indian intelligence agencies.
Pookudikanna’s brother was caught in one such operation last week. While under surveillance, he attempted to leave for Dubai but was intercepted by Indian intelligence forces, leading to his deportation to Sri Lanka.