The Attorney General’s Department today informed the Colombo High Court that they strongly oppose the bail application of five Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officers who are in remand custody on suspicion of being involved in drug trafficking.
Update:
AG’s Dept opposes bail application of five PNB officers
Dilshan Tharaka
The Attorney General’s Department yesterday informed the Colombo High Court that they strongly oppose the bail application of five Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officers who are in remand custody on suspicion of being involved in drug trafficking.
When the bail application was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne, Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Pieris appearing on behalf of the Attorney General informed Court that it is a very serious offense for officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau, which is responsible for conducting raids on drug traffickers in the country, to use their official powers to transport narcotics and get involved in drug trafficking.
Although the suspects had filed limited objections to the bail application, the DSG sought from the Court to allow the Attorney General’s Department to file lengthy objections in writing.
After considering the circumstances, the Colombo High Court Judge allowed the DSG to file written objections on February 25.
Police Narcotic Bureau Inspector Wimalasenage Lionel, Police Constable Wijesinghe Mudiyanselage Priyankara Jayasena, Police Constable Herath Mudiyanselage Lalith Jayawardena, Police Sergeant Wathukarage Wimala Prasad and Sub Police Inspector Dahanaka Ralalage Athula Jayantha Bandara had filed a bail application in the High Court seeking their release on bail.
The Criminal Investigation Department had launched an investigation into the incident, whereby a team of officers attached to the Police Narcotics Bureau was collaborating with large scale drug traffickers in the country while transporting drugs, collaborating with organised crime groups, collecting weapons, aiding, abetting, planning, conspiring and committing acts of violence.
The suspects were remanded by the Magistrate’s Court following the arrest of 13 officers of the Narcotics Bureau by the CID which produced them before the Magistrate’s Court.
The suspects were remanded for more than three months and five suspects including Inspector Wimalasenage Lionel of the Narcotics Bureau had filed the bail applications in the High Court.
