Gun Found with Lawyer as Ice Drug Suspect Detained

COLOMBO (News 1st); In a dramatic turn of events, police discovered a licensed firearm in the possession of one of the attorneys representing Sampath Manamperi, a former local government candidate from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), during court proceedings today (17).

Authorities confirmed that the weapon was taken into custody and will be returned to the lawyer through proper legal procedures.

The incident was formally reported to the Walasmulla Magistrate, adding another layer of intrigue to an already high-profile case.

Earlier in the day, it was announced that Manamperi would be presented before the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court, prompting tight security measures around the court premises from morning. He arrived in the afternoon in a three-wheeler, accompanied by his legal team.

The court later granted permission to detain and question Manamperi for seven days in connection with the discovery of ice (crystal methamphetamine) and two containers found on a property in Middeniya.

Manamperi’s legal team told the court that he had no involvement in clearing the containers through customs or transporting them from the port to Middeniya. 

They claimed that due to public protests in the area, their client had merely stepped in to arrange for their removal.

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) informed Magistrate Malsha Kodituwakku that Manamperi has been named as the second suspect in the ongoing investigation into the ice drug operation.

The PNB requested a 7-day detention order to further question the suspect.

Opposing the request, Manamperi’s legal counsel argued that his brother—the first suspect—had been subjected to torture while in custody. They requested that Manamperi be placed in judicial custody instead of police custody.

The PNB responded by assuring the court that the suspect would not be harmed and that all procedures would be conducted lawfully.