The Colombo Magistrate's Court has ordered the remand of powerful drug trafficker Loku Pati and Dinesh Kumara, a Shaman accused of aiding and abetting him, until November 07, in connection with charges including the acquisition of money through drug trafficking.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama stated that the order regarding the bail applications for the suspects will be delivered on that same date.
Loku Pati, who is currently in custody, was presented to the court via Zoom.
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the court that investigations against the two suspects are being conducted under Section 54(a) of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Investigations revealed that money derived from Loku Pati's drug trafficking operation was deposited into the bank account of the suspect Shaman.
According to the statement of Thusitha Niroshani, who is in remand custody on drug charges, she trafficked drugs obtained from Loku Pati and deposited the proceeds into the priest's account. She had deposited Rs. 7 million into this account, and investigations observed periodic deposits in this manner.
The CID stated that these deposits, made with the suspect priest's knowledge, amounted to nearly Rs. 330 million, of which the suspect priest had withdrawn Rs. 320 million via cheques.
Suspecting that this money was earned through drug trafficking, the CID is conducting further investigations to determine if these funds were subsequently reinvested into the drug trade.
The investigation has also uncovered three other accounts with a circulation of approximately Rs. 1 billion, and further inquiries are ongoing in this regard.
The CID requested the court to further remand the suspects, arguing that granting them bail could obstruct the ongoing investigations.
The lawyer for Loku Pati pointed out that his client was arrested in Belarus and brought to Sri Lanka last May.
Therefore, he argued that Loku Pati was not in the country during the period when the money was allegedly exchanged, and since there is insufficient evidence against him, he should be released on bail.
The lawyer for the suspect priest argued that the money deposited into his client's account was not earned through drug trafficking but were donations made by devotees to the shrine.
He requested bail, asserting that his client would not be able to influence witnesses.
After considering the submissions from both parties, the Chief Magistrate stated his intention to issue a written order clarifying the legal position regarding the bail applications and announced that the order will be delivered on November 07.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama stated that the order regarding the bail applications for the suspects will be delivered on that same date.
Loku Pati, who is currently in custody, was presented to the court via Zoom.
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the court that investigations against the two suspects are being conducted under Section 54(a) of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Investigations revealed that money derived from Loku Pati's drug trafficking operation was deposited into the bank account of the suspect Shaman.
According to the statement of Thusitha Niroshani, who is in remand custody on drug charges, she trafficked drugs obtained from Loku Pati and deposited the proceeds into the priest's account. She had deposited Rs. 7 million into this account, and investigations observed periodic deposits in this manner.
The CID stated that these deposits, made with the suspect priest's knowledge, amounted to nearly Rs. 330 million, of which the suspect priest had withdrawn Rs. 320 million via cheques.
Suspecting that this money was earned through drug trafficking, the CID is conducting further investigations to determine if these funds were subsequently reinvested into the drug trade.
The investigation has also uncovered three other accounts with a circulation of approximately Rs. 1 billion, and further inquiries are ongoing in this regard.
The CID requested the court to further remand the suspects, arguing that granting them bail could obstruct the ongoing investigations.
The lawyer for Loku Pati pointed out that his client was arrested in Belarus and brought to Sri Lanka last May.
Therefore, he argued that Loku Pati was not in the country during the period when the money was allegedly exchanged, and since there is insufficient evidence against him, he should be released on bail.
The lawyer for the suspect priest argued that the money deposited into his client's account was not earned through drug trafficking but were donations made by devotees to the shrine.
He requested bail, asserting that his client would not be able to influence witnesses.
After considering the submissions from both parties, the Chief Magistrate stated his intention to issue a written order clarifying the legal position regarding the bail applications and announced that the order will be delivered on November 07.
