The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday that over Rs. 100 million had been circulated through three bank accounts belonging to the sister and father of Shadika Lakshani, the wife of “Backhoe Saman,” who was recently arrested in Indonesia along with her husband and members of an organised criminal gang and is now in remand custody.
Appearing on behalf of the CID, Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath told Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama that further investigations conducted jointly by the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the police had uncovered extensive financial transactions amounting to hundreds of millions of rupees linked to the suspect’s relatives.
76 million transferred through Sadhika’s Sister’s Account
According to the findings presented in court, Rs. 56.3 million had circulated through the bank account of Lakshani’s sister during 2025, while Rs. 20.4 million had been transacted in 2024. The CID also reported that Rs. 21.1 million had moved through her father’s account during the same period. In total, thirteen bank accounts belonging to the suspect and her family members have been frozen pending further investigation.
The Deputy Solicitor General further revealed that Lakshani had been involved in drug trafficking since 2020 and maintained four foreign bank accounts. She added that although large sums had been credited to these accounts, no balances currently remained.
Another case in connection with the smuggling of 38 kg of heroin
Lakshani, who was produced in court under heavy security along with her three-year-old child, is currently under investigation in connection with the smuggling of 38 kg of heroin. The CID sought court approval to record statements from other suspects in remand custody as part of the broader probe into the drug trafficking network.
The Deputy Solicitor General also referred to a separate investigation before the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court, where it was alleged that the suspect had obtained a foreign passport by providing false information, including using a forged birth certificate for her eldest child.
Further remanded her until October 23
The defence counsel argued that the reports submitted did not directly implicate the suspect and that only 19 mg of heroin were recovered from her residence. However, the prosecution maintained that the financial records and other evidence demonstrated her direct involvement in a major drug distribution network.
After hearing both sides, Chief Magistrate Bodaragama ordered the CID to submit a detailed report on the suspect’s bank accounts and alleged drug operations and further remanded her until October 23.
