The Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of gang member Piyum Hasthika, also known as "Piyuma," until July 31. Piyuma, who was detained by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) after being repatriated from Dubai, UAE, was produced before the court today.

Piyuma is reportedly a key accomplice of the infamous drug trafficker Salindu Malshika Gunaratne, alias “Kudu Salindu.” He was first arrested in 2018 for possession of heroin and later implicated in multiple shootings, including the 2021 murder of Lakshan Sandaruwan and the 2022 double murder of Nilantha Kumara and Mohammed Samsad.

A ‘Red Notice’ from Interpol facilitated his arrest and return to Sri Lanka. The CID has since secured detention orders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act to interrogate Piyuma further.