• Rs. 4 m invested in house with 2,000 kg production chemicals imported 
• Backhoe Saman’s wife re-remanded over money laundering 

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has uncovered that organised crime suspect Mandinu Padmasiri alias ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ had been operating an illegal ‘ice’ (crystal methamphetamine) drug production facility in Nuwara Eliya.

This revelation emerged during interrogations conducted while the suspect, ‘Padme’, remains in CID custody. According to information obtained through further questioning, the suspect had invested over Rs. 4 million in the operation and had rented a house in Nuwara Eliya to carry it out. The suspect also disclosed that approximately 2,000 kilograms of chemical substances required for the drug production had been imported into the country.

Meanwhile, the wife of organised crime suspect known by the alias ‘Backhoe Saman’, Shadhika Lakshani, who is currently in custody, has been remanded until 18 September by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The CID produced the suspect before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama, who issued the remand order following the Court proceedings. A case has been filed against her under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.