Former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has reportedly been receiving continuous death threats from leaders of organised crime groups operating overseas after fleeing Sri Lanka. Police have launched investigations into the threats.

According to reports, the first anonymous letter was sent from an Arab country on 4 May, accusing Alles of orchestrating the “Yukthiya” operation that forced their members to flee the country, destroying their businesses and breaking up families. The letter warned that they would take revenge and were prepared to claim Alles’ life as retribution.

The letter was received at the former minister’s office on 9 July and was immediately forwarded to the Acting Inspector General of Police, after which a special investigation was initiated and a statement recorded from Tiran Alles.

On 28 August, a second letter — described as a “final warning” — was received at Alles’ office, this time posted from Dubai on 16 July. It explicitly threatened that he would be killed soon, regardless of the security measures in place.

Alles has since handed over the second letter to the police as well, and further investigations are underway.