Padme & Crew Claim They Quit Meth Game Over Sky-High Local Costs

COLOMBO (News 1st); It has now been revealed that the ICE drugs allegedly produced at the Hambantota Meth Lab was sold to organized crime figures known as "Kehelbaddara Padme" and "Mattakkuliya Chathu."

According to police reports, approximately 17 kilograms of ICE were manufactured in Mayurapura, Hambantota.

Investigations have revealed that approximately 10 kilograms of ICE produced at a facility in Mayurapura, Hambantota, were supplied to an organized crime figure known as "Kehelbaddara Padme," according to suspects currently in custody under the Kalutara Crimes Division.

Additionally, around 4 kilograms were reportedly sold to another organized criminal known as "Mattakkuliya Chathu."

The methamphetamine was manufactured in a laboratory set up inside a room of a house located in Mayurapura, Hambantota.

Police further disclosed that three Iranian nationals had been brought into the country and employed at the facility. 

These individuals had stayed at a hotel on Lewaya Road, Hambantota, from March 20 to April 10. 

One of them is said to have returned and stayed in Hambantota again from August 20 to September 3.

The operation of the drug manufacturing facility was allegedly overseen by a suspect named 'Panadura Nilanga.'

Kehelbaddara Padme had previously revealed details about another meth lab he operated in Nuwara Eliya, where approximately 15 kilograms of ICE were produced.

Police stated that two foreign nationals had also been employed at that facility. 

A photograph showing the meth production process inside the Nuwara Eliya residence has reportedly been submitted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Kehelbaddara Padme, Panadura Nilanga, Backhoe Saman, Thambili Lahiru, and Commando Salintha—who were arrested in Indonesia and brought back to Sri Lanka—have claimed that although they were involved in meth production within the country, they eventually abandoned the operation.

They cited the high cost of manufacturing meth locally compared to importing it from abroad as the primary reason for discontinuing production.