Organised crime gang leaders Mandinu Padmasiri Perera alias “Kehelbaddara Padme” and Nilanga Sampath Silva alias “Panadura Nilanga”, who were brought back to Sri Lanka from Indonesia, were produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for the first time today (25).
After considering submissions by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered both suspects to be remanded until September 3.
The CID informed court that eight mobile phones recovered from Kehelbaddara Padme contained a large volume of data.
Investigators said they had recovered information relating to 8,841 telephone calls, 326,671 photographs, 1,101 audio recordings and 5,039 videos after restoring deleted data.
According to the CID, analysis of the mobile phone data had uncovered information relating to 20 major drug traffickers. Investigators also found evidence indicating that Padme had maintained close contacts with 13 prison officers, and said the relevant information had been referred to the Commissioner General of Prisons.
The CID further told court that information concerning seven actresses and models, as well as photographs and telephone conversations involving nine politicians, had also been found on the mobile phones. Further investigations are being conducted into the information, investigators said.
Investigators also said photographs of 19 passports belonging to individuals allegedly connected to various criminal activities had been recovered. The CID is also investigating 17 bank accounts allegedly linked to the suspect.
According to investigators, Kehelbaddara Padme had travelled overseas approximately 15 times to 13 countries, including Dubai, Japan, Indonesia, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia and Laos, since May 21, 2021, using a valid passport.
The CID further informed court that Kehelbaddara Padme had allegedly possessed 21 firearms, of which 19 had been seized by different investigation teams during previous investigations.
The CID requested that the suspect be remanded, citing concerns that access to communication devices could interfere with ongoing investigations.
Appearing for Kehelbaddara Padme, Attorney-at-Law Chaminda Athukorala requested that his client be held at a prison other than Welikada, stating that individuals considered his client’s rivals were being held there.
When questioned by the Magistrate about his health, Kehelbaddara Padme said he suffers from a liver condition and had received medication while he was overseas.
Meanwhile, officers of the Colombo District Crime Division informed court that Kehelbaddara Padme is the 18th suspect and the principal suspect in the case relating to the murder of organised crime figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa.
The Magistrate ordered that Kehelbaddara Padme be held at a suitable and secure prison and directed prison authorities to take the necessary measures.
He was also ordered to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on September 4 in connection with another pending case.
Meanwhile, Panadura Nilanga, who was also arrested in Indonesia and subsequently brought to Sri Lanka, was produced before court today. He was also ordered to be remanded until September 3.
The suspects were among several alleged organised crime figures arrested in Indonesia and brought back to Sri Lanka in connection with investigations into multiple murders and alleged drug trafficking activities.
