Nawala Nihal, who reportedly goes by the aliases Nihal Wickremasinghe, Koswattage Donald, Koswattage Donald Nihal Wickremasinghe (The Sunday Leader 24 June 2001), and K. Don Nihal Donald Wickremasinghe (The Daily Mirror 13 Dec. 2001), was reportedly indicted with extorting, under the threat of death, a ransom of some 30 million rupees (ibid.), or $CDN469,800 (Bank of Canada 4 Feb. 2003). Nihal was additionally charged with forcibly obtaining a block of land and a house and with "keeping two persons under house arrest at the Club Jade Gardens in Colombo" (The Daily Mirror 13 Dec. 2001). The following people were being charged along with Nihal: Ranjan Malin Dedigama, Bandula Weerasinghe alias "Fiat," K.A. Ajantha Perera and Athula Walisundara (ibid.).

A June 2001 article reported that Nawala Nihal had returned from Italy on 12 June 2001, "where he was on self imposed exile following a spate of violent incidents in Sri Lanka" (The Sunday Leader 24 June 2001). Described in as one of the country's "most feared gangsters," the article contends that Nihal receives protection from politicians, with the Deputy Minister for Social Services personally welcoming him home upon his arrival at the Katunayake International Airport (ibid.).

Although not identifying the guilty party, a July 2000 article reported that Weebadurachchige Asoka, described as a powerful "underworld" leader in Colombo, had been killed in a bomb blast at the Gangodawila Magistrate's court (The Island 9 July 2000). The killing was reportedly in retaliation of the "Delkanda killings" in which gunmen shot at Nawala Nihal's "associates" (ibid.).

A June 2000 article, reporting on the arrest of Bandula alias Fiat, who was believed to be running Nawala Nihal's gang during his absence, reported that police had "collected evidence that suggests that the gang had been collecting protection money from many people including those who ran casinos, brothels and massage parlours" (ibid. 5 June 2000).

Although no specific detail was given as to his business activities, two articles make reference to Nalin Fonseka, variously referring to him as "casino boss" (The Daily Mirror 15 Nov. 2002) and "casino king" (The Sunday Leader 24 June 2001). A 24 June 2001 stated that "an uncle to Casino King Nalin Fonseka, Nawal Nihal has always been closely guarded by politicians" (ibid.).

No further reference to the familial relationship and no reference to the business relationship between Nawala Nihal and Nalin Fonseka could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Bank of Canada. 4 February 2003. Quick Currency Converter. http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/exchange.htm [Accessed 4 Feb. 2003]

The Daily Mirror [Colombo]. 15 November 2002. "Bodyguards, What For, Queries Anura." http://www.dailymirror.lk/2002/11/15/News/4.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

_____. 13 December 2001. Susitha R. Fernando. "Gem Businessman Gives Evidence in Rs. Seven Million Extortion Case." http://www.dailymirror.lk/archives/dmr131201/News/gem.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

The Island [Colombo]. 9 July 2000. Shamindra Ferdinando. "Colombo Underworld Acquire Hi-Tech Arms and Ammunition." http://origin.island.lk/2000/07/09/news.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

_____. 5 June 2000. Shamindra Ferdinando. "Two Crime Bosses Among 75 in Custody: Underworld Gangs Reel Under Police Operations." http://origin.island.lk/2000/06/05/islnews.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

The Sunday Leader [Colombo]. 24 June 2001. Frederica Jansz. "The Return of Nawala Nihal." http://www.lanka.net/sundayleader/2001/Jun/24/issues.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2003]

IRB databases

NEXIS

Internet sites, including:

BBC

Daily News

Dawn

The Hindu

The Hindustan Times

The Island

Lanka Academic Network

Rediff.com

TamilNet

The Times of India

World News Connection (WNC)

Search engine:

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