Salindu Malshitha Gunaratne, alias ‘Kudu Salindu,’ a notorious drug kingpin and underworld figure, was granted bail today by the Panadura Magistrate’s Court.

Gunaratne, who had been in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), was arrested in Madagascar in March 2023. He and his accomplice, Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias ‘Harak Kata,’ were apprehended on March 1, 2023, in a joint operation involving INTERPOL, Malagasy law enforcement, and Customs officials.

The pair, along with six other suspects, were extradited to Sri Lanka on March 15, following a notification to the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry by Malagasy defence officials.

Appearing before Panadura Chief Magistrate Saman Kumara, ‘Kudu Salindu’ was granted bail with three sureties of Rs. 1 million each and additional conditions. The case is scheduled to be heard again on 10 February 2025.