Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered the Director of the Police Narcotics Bureau to personally appear before court on September 25 and present submissions regarding the charges filed under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance against Shadhika Lakshani, wife of 'Backhoe Saman'. The Chief Magistrate further directed the Attorney General to assign a State Counsel to appear before court on the next date and make submissions in relation to the case. The case against Shadhika Lakshani, who had earlier been produced before court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, was taken up again today. The suspect was produced under security before the Chief Magistrate when the case was called. Filing a further report on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the investigating officer informed court that investigations had revealed the suspect maintained four foreign bank accounts. The matter had already been reported to the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, though a report was yet to be received. It was further reported that 40 pounds of gold jewellery and valuables seized from the suspect at the time of arrest had been handed over to the Gem and Jewellery Authority for examination, with a report expected on the next date. The CID also revealed that investigations were continuing into the trafficking of narcotics allegedly carried out by the suspect and her husband. The couple had reportedly fled their area of residence in 2022 after information surfaced regarding their involvement in narcotics trafficking. Investigations had also uncovered that the birth certificate of their first child had been fraudulently altered, enabling the couple to go into hiding abroad. Statements from area residents were also being recorded in this regard. The prosecution objected to bail, warning that if released, the suspect could interfere with witnesses. Appearing for the suspect, defence counsel argued that none of the reports filed by investigators contained clear or direct evidence substantiating the allegations against his client. He noted that although the prosecution referred to a pending case before the Colombo High Court, the Attorney General had not named his client as an accused in that case, which was already at its final stage with only one more witness left to be called. Counsel further submitted that the case pending before the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court was against the suspect’s husband, not his client. He added that the suspect had undergone heart surgery at a young age, and that her child, who remains with her in prison, was frequently ill and had no other relatives to take care for her. He assured court that his client was willing to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigations and urged that she be released on bail under suitable conditions. Having considered the submissions, Chief Magistrate rejected the bail application and ordered that the suspect be further remanded. The Magistrate observed that the suspect had first been produced under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and remanded for seven days, and thereafter produced under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Despite repeated directions, investigators had failed to file a comprehensive report on the allegations against the suspect. The Magistrate noted that, in terms of Section 54 of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, bail could not be granted at this stage. He also ordered the Director of the Police Narcotics Bureau to personally appear before court and make submissions regarding the allegations on the next date. He further directed the Attorney General to assign a State Counsel to present submissions at the next hearing. The case was fixed to be taken up again on September 25, and the suspect was ordered to be further remanded till then.
