SLPP Suspends Membership of Former Local Councillor Sampath Manamperi Amid Drug Allegations

COLOMBO (News 1st):The General Secretary of SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam confirmed that, the party membership of Former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Pradeshiya Sabha member Sampath Manamperi has been suspended.

In a statement, Kariyawasam said that Manamperi is facing allegations of possessing raw materials used in drug production.

He added that the party will not show leniency towards members accused of such activities, and Manamperi’s party membership has been revoked with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the brother of former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Pradeshiya Sabha member Sampath Manamperi has also been arrested over his alleged involvement with chemicals used to manufacture crystal methamphetamine or ICE in Middeniya.

Police confirmed that accordingly, 38-year-old Wijewickrama Manamperige Piyal Senadheera, is currently in custody.

According to information obtained from the interrogation of organized crime suspect Backhoe Saman, held at the Colombo North Crime Division, chemicals used to manufacture ICE were recovered yesterday from land belonging to Sampath Manamperi in Middeniya.

Sampath Manamperi is known to have had close ties with Backhoe Saman and reportedly left the area after the criminal group, including Saman, was brought under investigation.