Underworld threats disrupt Ambalangoda Modara Devalaya procession

Organisers decided to cancel the eighty-third annual Esala festival at the Modara Devalaya in Ambalangoda due to a clash between two alleged organised criminals.

Police noted that committee members received telephone threats warning them against organising the event, leading the secretary, assistant secretary, and other members to leave the area while one person went abroad.

The dispute stems from a clash between the jailed alleged organised criminal known as Loku Pati and Karandeniya Sudda, another alleged organised criminal who fled the country.

Investigations previously revealed that the temple's former committee chairman died in a shooting near the Ambalangoda Urban Council on November 4 last year, while the temple officiant was arrested by the illegal assets investigation division over bank accounts circulating over 330 million rupees linked to Loku Pati.

Security forces previously provided heavy protection for kavadi dancing at the recent Seenigama Devalaya festival following threatening audio clips released by allege organised crime figure Kanjipani Imran.

Meanwhile, the Central Crime Investigation Division received permission to detain and question alleged major drug trafficker Shiran Basik for 90 days after Dubai police arrested him on May 26 following red notices issued by Interpol, before his return to the country on the night of August 14.