A young lawyer faced serious consequences at Negombo Magistrate’s Court after attempting an unauthorized video call for his client, 21-year-old British former flight attendant Charlotte May Lee, during a hearing in Sri Lanka. The incident occurred in Courtroom No. 02, where Lee is charged with smuggling 46 kilograms of “Kush,” one of the largest seizures of this synthetic drug in Sri Lanka’s airport customs history.
The lawyer, whose identity remains undisclosed, was spotted by prison officers activating his mobile phone and placing it in his court bag while speaking with Lee. Officers confirmed he was facilitating a video call, leading to the phone’s confiscation and a formal report to the Magistrate.
Magistrate Darshika Premarathna issued a firm warning, noting that such misconduct could risk the lawyer’s license if reported to the Supreme Court. While lawyers are allowed phones for official purposes, misuse is not tolerated. As it was his first offense, the lawyer was released but barred from appearing in Lee’s case or attending its future hearings. His phone was returned after the ruling.
Charlotte May Lee, from South London, remains in custody until September 3. Arrested on May 13 at Bandaranaike International Airport after arriving from Bangkok, she was allegedly found with 46 kilograms of Kush in her luggage. Lee denies knowledge of the drugs, claiming they were planted, and described harsh prison conditions, sleeping on a thin mattress and sharing a cell with five others.
Lawyer Banned from Court in British Woman’s Major Drug Case in Sri Lanka
