Sri Lanka’s Illegal Assets Investigations Division has frozen property valued at more than Rs. 250 million belonging to wanted organised crime figure Maddumaage Shehan Satsara, also known as “Dehibahalé Malli.”
According to police, the suspect—believed to be hiding overseas—has long been implicated in serious crimes in the Southern Province, including murder, narcotics trafficking and illegal firearms smuggling. He is considered a key member of a well-structured organised crime network operating across several districts.
The asset freeze follows a lengthy investigation carried out by officers of the Illegal Assets Investigations Division, led by Assistant Director ASP Janaka Priyadarshana Withanage. Police state that the inquiry focused on identifying property that could not be legally accounted for by the suspect.
Under the order, authorities have frozen:
• A house and land near the Dickwella Divisional Secretariat valued at approximately Rs. 50 million, and
• Five multi-day fishing trawlers (Melina 01–05), estimated to be worth over Rs. 200 million, which were berthed at the Dickwella fisheries harbour at the time of seizure.
Police say the action is part of a wider crackdown on organised crime groups operating within and outside Sri Lanka, especially those using assets acquired through drug trafficking and violent crime to sustain their networks.
