Foreign Travel Ban Imposed on Seven Police Officers

25-Apr-2026

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The Gampaha Magistrate’s Court has imposed a foreign travel ban on seven officers attached to the Western Province North Crime Investigation Division over allegations of colluding with major drug traffickers currently in hiding overseas.

The order was issued on April 24 before Gampaha Chief Magistrate Bandula Gunaratne. The case was taken up following a request made by Chief Inspector R.G.C. Padumasiri, the present head of the Western Province North Crime Investigation Division. The Magistrate directed the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to be informed of the travel restriction.

The investigation stems from the arrest of a suspect on 7 April in the Ganemulla, Pollath area with 9 kg of heroin and 12 kg of crystal methamphetamine. Analysis of WhatsApp conversations recovered from the suspect revealed contact between certain police officers and overseas-based drug traffickers known as ‘Konda Ranjith’ and ‘Tippitigoda Lahiru’.

Investigations further revealed that a police constable attached to the same unit had allegedly transported 3 kg of cocaine seized during a raid using a hired vehicle. Considering the possibility of interference with the investigation, the court imposed the travel ban on seven officers including Linden Lenard Silva and ordered that updates on the investigation be reported promptly.