Youth on Sri Pada pilgrimage arrested with drugs

COLOMBO (News 1st); Twelve youth who had come on a pilgrimage to Sri Pada have been arrested in possession of drugs.

The youth were arrested during operations carried out by the officers of the Hatton Divisional Anti-Corruption Unit at several places on the Hatton-Colombo main road.

The arrested suspects were in possession of heroin and Kerala Cannabis and were later taken into custody by the Police.

The suspects were identified as residents of Anuradhapura, Ragama and Colombo suburbs aged 20 to 30 years.

They are to be produced before the Hatton Magistrate's Court.

Meanwhile, the Sri Pada pilgrimage season began on Saturday (18), with all pilgrims requiring to be in possession of their vaccination cards, among other COVID-19 regulations to be followed by pilgrims.