Local council candidate further remanded over drug haul

Seven suspects, including Samagi Jana Balawegaya local government candidate Wasantha Pushpakumara, are to remain in remand custody until April 21.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thasanga S. Bodaragama issued this order today (6) regarding the transportation of 261 kg of ICE and 115 kg of heroin.

The Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) submitted a further report to the court following the seizure of the drugs, which were hidden aboard a multiday fishing trawler in the seas south of Sri Lanka.

Investigating officers informed the court that the confiscated narcotics had been sent to the Government Analyst for testing.

The court also ordered the vessel's GPS device to be referred to the Survey Department for a detailed report. The remanded suspects, all residents of Tangalle, include Warnakulasuriya Noel Ranjith Fernando, Dulan Sajith Asalanka, Nuwan Pushpakumara, Nimal Fernando, Milban de Silva, Dinusha Ruwan Kumara, and Wasantha Pushpakumara.

The Sri Lanka Navy initially intercepted the trawler and apprehended the seven suspects before handing them over to the PNB.

During the proceedings, PNB officials stated that investigations into the suspects are not yet complete and requested their continued detention.

After considering these submissions, the Magistrate ordered all seven individuals to be returned to remand custody.