Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa revealed that Sampath Manamperi, accused of concealing two container loads of raw materials allegedly used to manufacture the drug ‘Ice’ for underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme, is a former police intelligence officer.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing today (September 9), Dr. Jayatissa said the absconding suspect has also been linked to the murder of the late Nadarajah Raviraj, a former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian.

“This person, Sampath Manamperi, served as a police constable for a period and also worked as an intelligence officer for a short time. He has also been identified as a suspect in the murder of MP Raviraj,” the minister stated.

Dr. Jayatissa noted that Manamperi had even contested as a candidate for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) despite these allegations, and said that merely cancelling his party membership would not be sufficient.

He further emphasized, “The Manamperi family has long-standing connections with politicians in areas such as Tangalle, Middeniya, and Hambantota. The most responsible action SLPP members, including Namal Rajapaksa, can take is to hand over Sampath Manamperi to the police.”