• ‘Dehi Bale Malli’ and ‘Kalu Malli’ suspected to be in Dubai 
• Piyal Manamperi re-remanded  

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court, on Tuesday (21), ordered the immediate arrest of large-scale drug traffickers Sehan Sathsara alias ‘Dehi Bale Malli’ and his brother Thushan Nethsara alias ’Kalu Malli,’ who are said to be hiding overseas and operating drug rackets in the country. The Magistrate ordered the Police to arrest and produce the suspects before court. In addition, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama also ordered the imposition of travel bans on these suspects.

The Navy recently seized over 839 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’), heroin and hashish found in packages floating in the Southern seas. The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) informed the Court that investigations have revealed that ‘Dehi Bale Malli’ and ‘Kalu Malli,’ who were residents of Devundara, were responsible for bringing the said drug stock into the country. Police said that investigations have revealed that these suspects are hiding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, or another foreign country and are operating this drug racket. Police also requested the Court to issue an order to call for the telephone records of the two suspects in question.

In addition, the 5 fishermen arrested in connection with the seized drugs were produced before the Court by the PNB officers. Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the relevant suspects to be remanded until 4 November and ordered that the Court be informed of the progress of the investigations on that day.

Meanwhile, the former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Angunukolapelessa Pradeshiya Sabha Member Piyal Manamperi who was arrested in connection with the recent recovery of chemicals allegedly used to manufacture ‘ice’ in Middeniya has been remanded. He was remanded until 29 October by the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court.