Cops Fail to Justify PTA Detention for Manamperi

COLOMBO (News 1st); It has been revealed that former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna local government candidate Sampath Manamperi has maintained WhatsApp communications with organized criminals Backhoe Saman, Kehelbaddara Padme, and Thambili Lahiru.

Police disclosed this information during the suspect’s appearance before the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (23).

Sampath Manamperi, who was in the custody of the Police Narcotics Bureau under a 7-day detention order, was presented before Walasmulla Magistrate Malsha Kodithuwakku on Tuesday (24) around 5 p.m.

During the hearing, the Police Narcotics Bureau requested a 90-day detention order under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act.

However, the Bureau failed to present sufficient grounds to justify the request.

Lawyers appearing on behalf of the suspect argued that the Police Narcotics Bureau’s request for extended detention lacked a legal basis. 

They further stated that the Bureau had acted in a manner that disrespected the authority of the court.

News 1st correspondent reported that the proceedings were adjourned twice during the hearing.

After reviewing submissions from both sides, the Magistrate ordered that the suspect be remanded until the 26th of this month.

At the same hearing, the Middeniya Police requested that Sampath Manamperi be remanded until the 1st of next month in connection with firearms discovered hidden in a garbage pile near a house in Middeniya.

Magistrate Malsha Kodithuwakku granted this request and ordered the suspect to remain in remand custody until the 1st of next month.

Why did the Western Province North Crimes Division appear in court today?

Officials from the Western Province North Crimes Division submitted a motion to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court today (24), seeking a detention order for Sampath Manamperi.

They informed the court that, under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Inspector General of Police had assigned the investigation to the Western Province North Crimes Division.

The Magistrate stated that the detention order would be issued on Friday (26), following the submission of the required documentation.

Following the arrest and repatriation of organized criminals including Kehelbaddara Padme and Backhoe Saman from Indonesia, investigations have revealed extensive information related to organized crime and drug trafficking.

During these investigations, a stock of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as "ice") was discovered buried on a property in Middeniya belonging to Sampath Manamperi and his family. 

Two containers suspected to have been used to import the drugs were also identified.

Substances suspected to be used in the production of methamphetamine were found at multiple locations. 
Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in samples taken from Middeniya.

Was ice produced using talc stones in Hambantota?

White powder and small rock fragments resembling talc stones were reportedly imported into the country and discovered at several locations, including Middeniya.

A suspect in custody revealed that these materials were used to produce crystal methamphetamine. 

The Kalutara Crimes Investigation Division raided a meth lab operating inside a tourist villa in Hambantota on the 14th of this month.

Based on information obtained during the interrogation of 'Embilipitiye Suranga', an assistant to 'Panadura Nilanga' who is currently in custody, a 20-year-old youth was arrested.

Police stated that the youth was involved in operations at the meth lab in Mayurapura, Hambantota.

According to his statement, talc stones and similar substances were transported to the lab by truck. 

He claimed that foreign nationals working in the lab mixed the substances with chemicals in large containers, and boiled them.

He further stated that the liquid was then filtered using paper, and the salt-like residue left on the paper was identified by the foreign nationals as crystal methamphetamine.

Was meth found in the talc stones?

The two containers containing talc stones and powder discovered in Middeniya were released by Sri Lanka Customs in January.

Customs Spokesperson Chandana Punchehewa stated that prior intelligence had indicated the presence of illegal substances in the containers.

He confirmed that the Police Narcotics Bureau and Sri Lanka Customs jointly inspected the containers, which were found to contain talc stones and powder. 

Following the inspection, the containers were released.

Can meth be produced from talc stones?

Talc powder is commonly used in cosmetic products and is also known to be mixed with heroin.

We inquired with the relevant investigative agencies regarding the materials found in Middeniya.

They stated that investigations are still ongoing to determine whether the recovered substances are indeed talc stones.