When crime bosses rise above law and shrines

On Wednesday, September 30th, 2026, death squads of underworld crime bosses were actively eliminating their rivals. On Sunday, an armed gunman opened fire on a trishaw in Baddegama, killing both the driver and a woman, with the injured victim succumbing to her injuries in a hospital. The assailant, portrayed in a video resembling a Hollywood depiction of urban violence akin to the 1920s Chicago era, methodically executed controlled shots rather than firing wildly. This type of professional hitman execution mirrors cinematic portrayals of urban warfare.

Less than 24 hours after Sunday’s killings, a man sustained serious injuries in a shooting incident at Rathgama, adding to a total of 35 shooting incidents this year, resulting in about 25 fatalities. One particular incident in Dehiwala, involving a grenade attack, claimed the lives of two children three weeks ago. The escalating number of underworld-related attacks hints at the continued strength of criminal gangs, despite ongoing operations against them.

While several hard-core criminals have been arrested and remanded, their gangs continue to operate, raising questions about the efficacy of the alleged crackdown on crime and drug syndicates.

The power and reach of these crime syndicates have even extended to sacred shrines. A woman killed in Baddegama on Sunday is believed to have been involved in the murder of a trustee of a revered devale in Ambalangoda. Moreover, a nearby shrine has been forced to cancel its annual procession due to threats from the underworld. In July, Kanjipani Imran, a notorious drug dealer based overseas, threatened to attack Devinuwara Devale unless the shrine lifted a ban on a kavadi dance group sponsored by him.

The police, influenced by Kanjipani Imran, suggested holding the procession without the kavadi segment, a demand that was eventually met by the government. This instance demonstrates the intertwining of criminal networks with mainstream society, including business and political elites.

While the underworld is often seen as a separate subculture, criminologists argue that these networks are deeply rooted in mainstream society, sometimes even influencing business and political circles. For instance, Kanjipani Imran was arrested in Dubai in 2019 but managed to secure bail and subsequently fled the country. Another drug dealer, Madush, was shot dead while in police custody, leading to claims that he was caught in crossfire between police and underworld members.

However, Kanjipani Imran obtained bail in 2024, further evading justice. Podi Lasi, another drug dealer, managed to escape to India after being released on bail in 2024. Kavadi dancers have also benefited from the influence of these criminals, as revealed by the newspaper's investigation into High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya’s assassination.

Kudu Nauffer, the drug dealer who orchestrated the murder, had sponsored food and beverages at a judicial officers’ function through a front. His political connections hindered the arrest of Kudu Lal, a significant heroin supplier in Colombo, who managed to leave for London with the assistance of a former Cabinet minister.

The lack of scrutiny into campaign funds of politicians and political parties underscores the pressing need for increased monitoring and stringent law enforcement actions. Despite the rhetoric, the government and police must enhance their crime-fighting efforts to dismantle the powerful criminal networks once and for all, before the country faces the grim prospect of a parallel government run by powerful criminal gangs.