Prison Officers' Phone Numbers Found on 'Kehelbaddara Padme's' Mobile

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Telephone numbers belonging to 13 prison officers and photographs of seven models and politicians were discovered on the mobile phone of alleged organized crime figure Manudinu Padmasiri Perera, alias "Kehelbaddara Padme," the Criminal Investigation Department informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today.

The disclosure emerged as Kehelbaddara Padme and another alleged organized crime suspect, Nilanga Sampath, alias "Panadura Nilanga," were produced before court following the expiry of their detention orders and subsequently remanded.

The two suspects were produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court, where investigators presented fresh details relating to ongoing criminal investigations.

The Criminal Investigation Department informed court that analysis of Kehelbaddara Padme's mobile phone had uncovered contact numbers belonging to 13 prison officers, along with photographs of seven models and political figures.

In a further development, the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) informed court that Kehelbaddara Padme has now been named as the 18th suspect in the case relating to the murder of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa.

The prosecution requested an order directing the prison authorities to produce the suspect before court on September 4, when the murder case is scheduled to be taken up once again.

Appearing on behalf of the suspect, Attorney-at-Law Chaminda Athukorala requested that court direct prison authorities to ensure his client's safety while in custody.

The defence further requested that Kehelbaddara Padme be detained at a prison other than Welisara Prison.

After considering the submissions made before court, the Magistrate ordered prison authorities to provide adequate security to the suspect while in custody and stated that responsibility for his safety would rest with the Prison Superintendent.

The Magistrate also directed that a summary of evidence relating to offences allegedly committed by the suspect under the Prevention of Terrorism Act be submitted to court.

Meanwhile, alleged organized crime suspect Nilanga Sampath, alias "Panadura Nilanga," was also remanded until September 3.

Kehelbaddara Padme and Panadura Nilanga were among five suspects arrested in Indonesia on August 27 last year before being brought back to Sri Lanka.