The Court of Appeal has given orders not to move underworld’s drug kingpin Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias “Harak Kata” from the location where is detained, without prior notice.

The directives were issued to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and other respondents named in the petition filed by the ill-famed criminal figure.

The petition was taken up before Appeals Court president Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Chamath Morais this morning (Sept. 15).

Accordingly, “Harak Kata” is not to be transferred to another location without notifying the Appeals Court, Fort Magistrate’s Court and the Attorney General, until the petition hearing concludes.

The petition had been put forward by “Harak Kata” through his attorneys seeking a court order preventing the law enforcement authorities from further extending the detention order issued on him. The next petition heating is fixed for September 25.

The Appeals Court’s orders came after reports of “Harak Kata” being rushed to the Colombo National Hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Meanwhile, probes are underway into the notorious criminal’s recent failed attempt to escape from the custody of the CID. The investigators have revealed that CCTV footage of his escape attempt could not be secured as the surveillance cameras set up at the CID premises had been out of order for over a year.

On September 10, “Harak Kata” had attempted to flee the custody of the CID, allegedly with the assistance of a Police Constable, who is believed to have fled Sri Lanka soon after the incident.

In March 2023, “Harak Kata” was deported from Madagascar, along with Salindu Malshika alias “Kudu Salindu” after Malagasy defence officials informed the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry of the arrest of the criminal duo. He has been under detention orders ever since.