Cannabis trafficking and possession conviction (106 kg)
Current status of the Cannabis trafficking and possession conviction (106 kg)
Sampath Manamperi, a former Sri Lanka Police officer who had been interdicted from service, was arrested by the Special Task Force on 28 March 2013 on an allegation of transporting cannabis, after borrowing his younger brother Piyal's vehicle (a Toyota double cab, reg. SP PE 1214) to move a paddy harvesting machine. He was indicted before the High Court of Monaragala (Case No. HC 79/2014) for trafficking and possession of 106 kg and 105 g of Cannabis Sativa. He pleaded guilty, was convicted, and was given a term of imprisonment suspended for 10 years together with a fine.
What’s happened
The vehicle used in the offence belonged to his brother Piyal and was ordered confiscated by the High Court on 6 Dec 2016 after this conviction; Piyal's separate, unsuccessful challenge to that confiscation is recorded at piyal-manamperi-02. This conviction is unrelated to the 2025-2026 Middeniya methamphetamine investigation recorded at sampath-manamperi-04.
- Court
- High Court of Monaragala (Case No. HC 79/2014)
- Sentence
- Imprisonment imposed and suspended for a period of 10 years, together with a fine. The Supreme Court's 2024 judgment in the related vehicle-confiscation appeal (piyal-manamperi-02) confirms both existed but does not state the nominal length of the prison term or the fine amount.
- Next hearing / due
- No upcoming hearing announced
Sources (1)
Cannabis trafficking and possession conviction (106 kg) timeline
- 28 March 2013
Arrested
Arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) on an allegation of transporting Cannabis Sativa (ganja), after borrowing his brother Piyal's vehicle. Produced before the Wellawaya Magistrate's Court.
Court: Wellawaya Magistrate's Court
Sources (1)