“Kudu Roshan,” “Kudu Asanka” and “Kudu Sriyani”, cases of small time gangsters blowing up their names

The “Yukthiya” island-wide operation aimed mainly at cracking down on drug trafficking is now entering its third week. The Police claim the operation is a success, and they have been able to net a number of wanted drug traffickers and so-called “underworld figures” during these operations.

Most of these suspects are known more by their aliases and the people have been bombarded over the past two weeks with many colourful aliases used by alleged gangsters and drug traffickers who have been arrested during the operation. A large number of drug traffickers have the word “Kudu” attached to their aliases. A virtual giveaway to their trade. They include: “Kudu Roshan,” “Kudu Asanka” and “Kudu Sriyani.” Other alleged criminals who have either been arrested or come to the attention of Police during these operations include those known by aliases such as “Ravul Kumara,” “Ladiya,” “Sanda,” “Maama,” “Podi Thaththa,” “Baba,” “Amanaya,” “Suda,” “Kota” and “Uduwa.”

Meanwhile “Manna Roshan,” whose alias genuinely evoked some concern owing to his reputation of using a long “Manna” knife to commit crimes, met a gruesome end this week when he was killed in a hail of gunfire after being ambushed--allegedly by a rival gang.

One retired top cop whose job it was to track down and arrest such criminals blamed the media, elements of the Police and politicians for creating a mystique around such criminal elements. He said the term “underworld” should not be used to describe what are organised criminal gangs.

“These are not the Mafia, the Yakuza or the South American drug cartels. Our guys have nowhere near that level of organisation, resources or skills. They cultivate this image of being kingpins but these are just several organised gangs and smalltimers,” he said.