… America-Pakistan developed required ‘intel’ for operation

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The US Embassy in Colombo declined to comment on a special police probe into the recent narcotics detection, jointly made at the China-managed Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) by the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Delhi Country Office and Sri Lanka Police..

US Embassy spokesperson said that the mission wouldn’t add to their press release, issued on 2 Sept., in the immediate aftermath of the raid.

Police Headquarters, on 11 Sept., declared that the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) was conducting investigations into the recovery of 473 kg of Crystal Methamphetamine (‘Ice’). Police never acknowledged the role played by the US in the operation.

According to Police Headquarters, on a directive given by IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya, the Special Investigation Unit has launched an internal probe into, what it called, shortcomings and irregularities in the Colombo Port raid.

The Island:

Have you (relevant US authorities) received an update of Sri Lanka’s investigations from the Police?

US Embassy:

U.S. and Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities maintain close and ongoing cooperation on counternarcotics matters, including the exchange of information that helps both countries combat transnational drug trafficking. We don’t have anything further to share on communications with Sri Lankan authorities beyond what we’ve already said publicly about the successful operation.

The Island:

Did the Police seek clarification regarding DEA, New Delhi Country Office role in the successful raid?

US Embassy:

As the Embassy noted publicly following the seizure, cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration contributed to the Sri Lanka Police Narcotics Bureau’s successful seizure of approximately 463 kilograms of methamphetamine at the Port of Colombo.

The seizure demonstrates the value of close U.S.-Sri Lankan cooperation in disrupting transnational narcotics trafficking.

The Island:

Before we raised this issue were you aware of the internal investigation into the drug bust which was also raised in Parliament last week?

The US Embassy:

We don’t have anything further to share beyond what we’ve already said publicly about the successful operation.

Our focus remains on the strong U.S.-Sri Lanka law enforcement partnership and the concrete results our cooperation can deliver—disrupting transnational criminal organisations, cutting off the profits that fuel illicit drug trafficking, and protecting our citizens from the dangers of narcotrafficking.

The US Embassy attributed the success of the counternarcotics operation to the US-Sri Lanka partnership

The US Embassy statement, dated 2 Sept: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Delhi Country Office and Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) conducted a successful joint operation disrupting a Pakistan-based narcotrafficking network attempting to smuggle crystal methamphetamine through Sri Lanka to international markets.

Acting on intelligence developed by DEA’s Foreign Counterparts Unit Pakistan Anti-Narcotics Force Special Investigations Cell between August 14–29 on suspicious maritime containers moving from Pakistan to Colombo, PNB seized approximately 463 kg of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of $21 million, concealed in bath towels, and arrested several suspects, including Pakistani nationals. This operation underscores the strength of the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership in dismantling transnational criminal organisations that fund terrorism and threaten communities in both our countries. This cooperation builds on long-standing training and technical assistance provided through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to the Sri Lanka Police and Customs. The United States remains committed to working with Sri Lanka and regional partners to aggressively pursue transnational criminal organizations, deny them the revenue from illicit drug trafficking, and protect our citizens from the dangers of narcotrafficking.”

SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa, in Parliament, raised questions about the internal investigation into the raid. However, Rajapaksa, too, hasn’t mentioned the US role in the operation. The Special Investigation Unit has recorded a statement from Senior DIG Ranmal Kodituwakku regarding the Colombo Port raid.

MP Rajapaksa questioned the rationale behind questioning the officer who led the raid against the backdrop of controversial releasing of 323 containers from the Colombo Port in January 2025. The failure to question those responsible for the releasing of 323 containers indicated who was behind that operation, MP Rajapaksa told Parliament.

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera appeared before the Colombo High Court yesterday in a case filed by the Attorney General over statements allegedly insulting Islam.

The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala, who ordered that it be called again on September 30.

His appearance came six days after the Supreme Court invalidated the presidential pardon granted to Gnanasara Thera by former President Maithripala Sirisena in 2019.

Speaking to journalists outside the court, Gnanasara Thera said he was prepared to face the legal process and would abide by the law, rejecting reports that he had gone into hiding following the Supreme Court judgment.

“It is the weak who disappear and flee. We worked for the country and are facing the consequences for that. We are not afraid and will not flee,” he said, noting that he would surrender to the court and face whatever legal consequences following the Supreme Court decision.

The Supreme Court, on September 10, ruled that the presidential pardon granted to Gnanasara Thera by Sirisena was invalid. The judgment followed fundamental rights petitions challenging the legality of the pardon. A three-judge bench, comprising Justices Janak de Silva, Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Sampath Abeykoon, delivered the ruling.

Gnanasara Thera was convicted by the Court of Appeal in 2018 for contempt of court and sentenced to a total of 19 years’ imprisonment to run concurrently as six years. The conviction related to his conduct during proceedings at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court concerning the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda.

He was released from Welikada Prison on May 23, 2019, after then President Maithripala Sirisena had granted him a presidential pardon.

The Supreme Court found the pardon to be arbitrary and invalid in law, following its consideration of the petitions challenging the exercise of the presidential power of clemency.

Meanwhile, police have said they are awaiting the Supreme Court judgment before determining what further action should be taken following the invalidation of the pardon.

The proceedings before the Colombo High Court yesterday are separate from the contempt of court case that resulted in the six-year sentence. They concern alleged statements made by Gnanasara Thera regarding Islam.

In June this year, the Colombo High Court rejected an appeal by Gnanasara Thera against a nine-month prison sentence imposed by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court in connection with statements made at a 2016 media briefing that were found to have disrupted religious coexistence.

The latest High Court proceedings, therefore, form part of separate legal action concerning his alleged remarks about Islam, while the Supreme Court ruling relates specifically to the legality of the 2019 presidential pardon granted in connection with his contempt of court conviction.

The case before the Colombo High Court will be called again on September 30.

LAWASIA, the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific, has stated that in court proceedings of exceptional constitutional significance, the basis upon which a Bench is constituted should be transparent and discernible and capable of maintaining public confidence in the institutional impartiality of the Court.

The following is the text of the statement issued by LAWASIA regarding the proceedings on the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution: “LAWASIA, the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific, reiterates its longstanding commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence and the proper administration of justice.

LAWASIA refers to its Statement Regarding the Extension of the Retirement Age of Judges in Sri Lanka dated 30th June 2026, in which it expressed concern regarding the proposal to amend the Constitution of Sri Lanka to extend the retirement ages of Judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. LAWASIA emphasised, in particular, the implications of such ad hoc reform for judicial independence and the need for transparency, consultation and stakeholder engagement.

The proposal has since proceeded as the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill, and its constitutionality has been challenged before the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Concerns regarding the proposed amendment and judicial independence have also been expressed by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the International Association of Judges and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers.

LAWASIA has taken note of the Report of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association dated 7 September 2026, following the visit of its President to Sri Lanka to observe the proceedings before the Supreme Court.

LAWASIA emphasises that the concerns expressed in this Statement relate to the procedure followed in those proceedings. LAWASIA does not express any view on the merits of the constitutional challenges or the substantive arguments advanced by the parties.

LAWASIA notes with serious concern that applications for the recusal of the Chief Justice and for the petitions to be heard by a Full Court comprising all sitting Judges of the Supreme Court were declined.

The CLA report records that no reasons were given for the dismissal of those applications other than that the Court had jurisdiction to hear the matter. The recusal application had been made in circumstances where the Petitioners contended that the Chief Justice would be the first Supreme Court Judge who could benefit from the proposed amendment.

LAWASIA also notes the concerns raised regarding the composition of the five-member Bench.

With the exception of the Chief Justice, the four Judges immediately senior to Justice Achala Wengappuli; Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, Justice A. H. M.D. Nawaz, Justice Shiran Gooneratne and Justice Janak de Silva were not included in the Bench.

LAWASIA recognises that seniority is not, of itself, determinative of the constitution of a Bench and does not question the competence of the Judges who heard the petitions. Nevertheless, in proceedings of such exceptional constitutional significance, the basis upon which a Bench is constituted should be transparent and discernible and capable of maintaining public confidence in the institutional impartiality of the Court.

LAWASIA expresses further serious concern that, following the oral submissions of the Interveners and the State, the Petitioners were not afforded an opportunity to make oral submissions in reply, although they were permitted to tender written replies by 3.00 p.m. the following day. The opportunity to respond meaningfully to material submissions made against a party’s case is an important aspect of procedural fairness.

LAWASIA emphasises that judicial independence is not confined to the substantive outcome of judicial proceedings; it extends to the integrity of the process by which judicial decisions are reached. This is especially important where proceedings concern a constitutional amendment directly affecting the tenure of serving Judges.

Scrutiny of judicial procedure should not be regarded as an attack upon judicial independence. On the contrary, judicial independence must be safeguarded both in fact and in public perception, and procedural fairness, impartiality and transparency are essential to maintaining public confidence in the Judiciary.

LAWASIA therefore reiterates its Statement of 30th June 2026 and calls upon all institutions concerned to uphold the highest standards of judicial independence, natural justice, procedural fairness and transparency.

The rule of law requires not only an independent judiciary, but a judicial process which commands public confidence as fair, impartial and transparent.”