Sri Lanka, Aug. 4 -- A close associate of notorious organised crime gang leader Kehelbaddara Padme was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to flee to Thailand yesterday.

The suspect, identified as Dewanmini Dissanayake 39, also known as Gampaha Dewa, was wanted in connection with multiple serious criminal offences, including murder and narcotics trafficking, police said.

He was apprehended by officers of the Airport Criminal Investigations Department just before boarding SriLankan Airlines flight UL-406 to Bangkok, which was scheduled to depart at 8.10 a.m.

Dissanayake is said to be a key associate of Kehelbaddara Padme, who had previously fled from Dubai to Thailand and was reportedly arrested by ...