Sri Lankan underworld figure and notorious drug kingpin Janith Madushanka, known as “Podi Lassie,” has been arrested in Mumbai, India. According to police sources, Interpol has officially informed Sri Lankan authorities of the arrest.

“Podi Lassie” had recently been released on bail by the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court on 9 December 2024, under strict conditions. He was named as the second suspect in a case involving alleged death threats made publicly at the Boossa Prison against former President Maithripala Sirisena, the then Defence Ministry Secretary, and several high-ranking officers of the Prisons Department.

Prior to his release, “Podi Lassie” had been under remand at the high-security Boossa Prison for over two years, facing multiple criminal charges. These include allegations of drug trafficking with the assistance of officers from the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), among other pending cases across several courts.