Sri Lanka Police have terminated the services of 17 officers in the past four months for consuming illegal drugs, including heroin and synthetic substances like ICE.
Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga said that the Intelligence Units and Special Investigations Unit compiled a list of officers within the Sri Lanka Police Department suspected of using drugs.
The officers in question were tested and medical reports were sent to the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board. Following the results, the officers were dismissed from the police force.
SSP Manathunga also confirmed that investigations are ongoing into several other officers facing similar charges, and action will be taken based on their medical test results.
The Acting Inspector General of Police has instructed that strict action be taken against senior officers involved in the matter.
The final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has confirmed that Secretary to the President – Nandika Sanath Kumanayake handed over the report.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation into a photo circulating on social media, allegedly showing the sacred tooth relic during the ongoing special exposition – ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ in Kandy.
According to Police Headquarters, the circulating image is seemingly an image taken by a devotee who attended the exposition, which is being held until April 27.
The police emphasises that devotees are not permitted to take photos or use their phones.
In this backdrop, the CID is investigating to ascertain whether the circulating photo was indeed taken during the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ exposition, and whether it was a photo captured by someone or whether it is merely an edited image.
The CID investigation has been launched on the instructions of the Acting Inspector General of Police.
A Brazilian national was arrested by the Narcotics Control Unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this (April 20) morning over attempting to smuggle nearly 05 kg of cocaine concealed in his suitcase.
The suspect is a 59-year-old Brazilian teacher and the seized cocaine (4kg and 855g) is valued around Rs. 240 million.