Peliyagoda fish market incident:

Extortion racket smashed, 20 held

*Peliyagoda UC Dy Chairman among arrested

*IGP acts on Defence Secy’s instructions

Vijayani EDIRISINGHE, Buddhika IMBULANA and Nuwan KODIKARA

A special police team raided the new fish market complex at Peliyagoda on Tuesday night and arrested 20 members of an alleged extortion gang including the Peliyagoda Urban Council Deputy Chairman who was obstructing the smooth functioning of the facility by dictating terms to fish vendors.

The special police team comprising officers from the Colombo Crime Division, STF and several police stations supervised by DIG Anura Senanayake was assigned by IGP Mahinda Balasuriya on the direction of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. This follows complaints to the Defence Secretary that extortionists and other organized gangs were hindering the smooth functioning of the newly opened fish market complex at Peliyagoda.

The IGP had directed the police team to arrest anyone trying to obstruct work at the complex irrespective of their social or official status.

Investigations revealed that more than 500 lorry loads of fish arrive at the complex daily for sale. This involves nearly 3,000 to 5,000 boxes laden with fish.

The gangs charge Rs 25 per each box of fish and only Rs 3 per box is paid to the Natamis unloading the fish.

The Peliyagoda Urban Council Deputy Chairman is also alleged to have extorted Rs 500 from the owner of each plank on which fish is kept for sale. Several other gangs had also been involved in this game of extortion.

Meanwhile, the leader of one extortion gang had encroached on a state land adjoining the fish market complex and leased it out to outsiders after partitioning it.

These gangs had sometimes clashed with each other causing inconvenience to the vendors and the customers visiting the complex.

DIG Anura Senanayake said the Peliyagoda fish market complex is now functioning smoothly as gangs which ruled the roost have been eliminated and police protection and cover is pounded to the facility daily to ensure security.

The Rs 25 per each box of fish which went to the pocket of extortion gangs is now paid to the Natamis by the shop owners on the directions of the Defence Secretary.