Excise officers seize cannabis from Sabaragamuwa CM’s security vehicle

"I want the law is implemented to the letter" – Maheepala Herath

Maheepala Herath

by Suresh Perera-July 18, 2015

A security back-up vehicle of Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Maheepala Herath was taken into custody by excise officers while allegedly transporting two kilograms of Indian cannabis, commonly known as ‘KG’ (Kerala Ganja) at Polgahawela yesterday.

A special squad of excise officers from Colombo intercepted the jeep on information received and arrested the driver with the package of drugs, officials said.

Maheepala had complained to the Kegalle police around 7 am that he found his security back up vehicle and the driver missing when he came out to leave on an official engagement, police spokesman, ASP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

He said the detection had been made by excise officers and the police had no information on what was found in the Chief Minister’s vehicle.

Though there were claims that the vehicle belonged to the police department, Maheepala denied it saying it was released from the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council (PC) for his security.

He said that he found the vehicle and the driver missing in the morning and no sooner he heard about the detection of drugs, he asked the authorities to take ensure that the law is implemented to the letter.

"I also directed the Provincial Secretary to immediately interdict the driver, a permanent employee of the PC", the Chief Minister told The Sunday Island.