A high-profile narcotics investigation has rocked Sri Lanka’s law enforcement, as multiple police officers face travel bans over alleged links to a 20kg drug trafficking operation, raising serious concerns about internal corruption and accountability.
Gampaha Chief Magistrate Bandula Gunaratne has imposed an immediate travel ban on seven police officers, including a former Officer in Charge of the Western Province North Crimes Division, preventing them from leaving the country amid an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. The court order follows a request made by Chief Police Inspector R.G.C. Padumasiri, the current OIC of the Western Province North Crimes Division, who confirmed that a formal probe has been launched into alleged narcotics related activities involving officers attached to the same division.
Who was banned?
The travel restrictions apply to seven officers who previously served in the Western Province North Crimes Division. They have been identified as Linton Leonard Silva, Kasun Subhashana, Ranjith Ranasinghe, Manoj Priyadarshana Hewawasam, Tharaka Madhuranga Abeykoon, Kolitha Lakmal Rajapaksa, and Terance Cedric Peiris. The move comes as Sri Lanka police intensify investigations into suspected drug trafficking networks allegedly linked to members within their own ranks.
Police informed the court that the investigation was initiated based on intelligence received by Chief Police Inspector R.G.C. Padumasiri, pointing to possible involvement of these officers in narcotics trafficking. A detailed report outlining the progress of the investigation was presented in court, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations and the need for urgent legal oversight.
How the arrest was made
According to police submissions, the case stems from a raid conducted on April 07 in the Ganemulla Bollatha area, following a tip-off received by a Police Inspector attached to the Western Province North Crimes Division. During the operation, officers arrested a suspect and seized a significant stock of illegal drugs, including heroin and crystal methamphetamine known as Ice, along with a motorcycle believed to have been used for drug transportation.
A suspect identified as Mangala Suraj Perera was also taken into custody in connection with the trafficking of the seized narcotics. Police stated that further investigations were launched after a complaint was received by the OIC regarding the conduct of officers involved in handling the confiscated drugs, raising suspicions of internal misconduct and evidence tampering.
Authorities revealed that eight police officers who participated in the raid are now under investigation. During the probe, critical evidence was uncovered from a mobile phone belonging to an arrested suspect, including photographs and WhatsApp conversations. These materials allegedly indicate links between a police officer and known drug traffickers, including individuals identified as Ranjith Kumara Dissanayake, also known as Konda Ranji, and Dippitigoda Lahiru, both believed to be operating from overseas while coordinating drug trafficking activities within Sri Lanka.
Police further disclosed that an additional three kilograms of cocaine were seized during the same operation, and evidence has emerged suggesting that Police Constable 88617 Hennayaka, who was part of the raid team, was directly involved in trafficking that cocaine stock. Investigators reported that the suspect had used a rented vehicle to transport the drugs, and both the vehicle and rental documentation have since been recovered as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Based on these findings, police requested the court to impose travel restrictions on the seven officers to prevent any attempt to evade the investigation. After reviewing the submissions, Magistrate Bandula Gunaratne granted the request and instructed authorities to provide regular updates on the progress of the case as the Sri Lanka drug trafficking investigation continues to unfold.
