Recent media reports alleging that the Finance Minister’s personal aide had been involved in a drug-related issue have been declared as baseless by the Media Secretary of Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

The events that took place on August 05, which led to one of Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s personal staff members, Sameera Manahara and three of his friends being taken into custody by the STF and handed over to the Mount Lavinia police included;

A stock of illegal substances was found in the vehicle belonging to the Samaraweera’s Coordinating Secretary’s friends, during the search conducted by the STF. Upon further questioning, one of the occupants in the jeep added that the drugs belonged to him, after which the STF found 16 bottles of liquor, three cartons of cigarettes, a display sword and a machete used for domestic purposes while searching his house.

The group of individuals were all handed over to the Mount Lavinia Police.

All four individuals were presented to the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court last afternoon (06), where the acting magistrate declared that charges would not be pressed against the other three individuals who had been traveling in the vehicle, as there was no evidence filed against them other than traveling in a vehicle containing the illegal substance, according to the police reports.

The Magistrate had then ordered the other three suspects, including Sameera to be released on bail, while the suspect who had admitted to the possession of illegal substances was arrested

Hence, the allegations have been said to be baseless.