{
  "id": 4529448,
  "title": "Welle Saranga among nine Lankan underworld figures to be brought back from Dubai",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/welle-saranga-among-nine-lankan-underworld-figures-to-be-brought-back",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T00:00:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/welle-saranga-among-nine-lankan-underworld-figures-to-be-brought-back-from-dubai/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nine Sri Lankan underworld figures, including notorious drug trafficker Gamange Saranga Pradeep, known as Welle Saranga, have been arrested in Dubai, according to a senior police officer. The arrests were made as part of a joint operation between Dubai Police and Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities. Welle Saranga is wanted in Sri Lanka for various serious crimes, including murders, drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and extortion.\n\nA team led by Central Criminal Investigation Bureau Director SSP Kamal Ariyawansa traveled to Dubai to assist local authorities in apprehending the suspects. During the operation, Sri Lankan officers shared information about Welle Saranga with Dubai Police. After weeks of investigation, Dubai Police arrested Welle Saranga and seven others staying at a luxury hotel. Narcotics, including cocaine and heroin, were found on the suspects.\n\nWelle Saranga allegedly operated extensive drug trafficking networks and had connections with drug traffickers in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. He was also accused of arranging the shipment of narcotics and firearms to Sri Lanka using fishing trawlers, which were later intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy. In addition to drug crimes, Welle Saranga is wanted for allegedly shooting Ivoni Sudharshani Fernando in a drug-related dispute and directing several other killings in Modara, Mattakkuliya, Kotahena, and surrounding areas. In 2022, he was arrested with a Russian-made automatic firearm and live ammunition. He is also accused of involvement in an attack in Mattakkuliya, during which six houses and six three-wheelers were damaged, and several people were injured.\n\nDiscussions are underway between Sri Lankan authorities and Dubai Police to expedite the repatriation of Welle Saranga and the other eight suspects.",
  "summary": "By Hemantha Randunu Nine Sri Lankan underworld figures, including notorious drug trafficker Gamange Saranga Pradeep alias Welle Saranga, who were arrested in Dubai during a joint operation involving Dubai Police and Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities, are expected to be brought back to Sri Lanka within the next few weeks, a senior police officer said. […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Welle Saranga, known as Gamange Saranga Pradeep, arrested in Dubai.",
    "Notorious Sri Lankan drug trafficker wanted for murders and extortion.",
    "Joint operation between Dubai Police and Sri Lankan authorities."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}