A former school principal was arrested in Tedagala, Eppawala, with a substantial quantity of heroin weighing more than 1 kilogram (1,184 grams 400 milligrams).
He was detained under court order for seven days for questioning. Another suspect was also apprehended with 69 grams of heroin. Both suspects were remanded in custody until November 26 by Thambuttegama Magistrate Gayathri Hettiarachchi on November 12.
Notably, the wife of the main suspect had been an elected member of the National People’s Power party in the Peliyagoda Urban Council and resigned following her husband’s arrest.
The court directed the Anuradhapura Divisional Criminal Investigation Division to send the seized heroin samples for forensic testing by the Government Analyst and to submit the results promptly.
Further, the Magistrate demanded regular updates on the investigation progress and ordered all telephone service providers to supply police with call and message records related to the suspects’ phones, highlighting the ongoing focus on uncovering wider network links.
This case has sparked concerns about possible political and social repercussions, given the suspects’ backgrounds and the volume of drugs involved.
