September 25, Colombo (LNW): A woman alleged to have close ties to a prominent underworld figure remains in judicial custody as authorities intensify investigations into suspected money laundering and drug-related activities connected to organised criminal networks.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered that Shadhika Lakshani, the spouse of a reputed underworld suspect known by the alias ‘Backhoe Saman’, remain in remand custody until October 09.
The ruling was issued by Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama following a hearing that included representations from both the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the defence.
Lakshani is currently being held under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, with investigators probing her alleged involvement in handling or concealing illicit proceeds believed to originate from narcotics operations.
During the court proceedings, the Magistrate directed the CID to present a detailed evidentiary brief at the next hearing, specifically outlining the suspect’s purported links to a drug trafficking network reportedly active in the Middeniya area.
The investigation gained traction following the arrest of Lakshani and her child at Bandaranaike International Airport on August 29, upon their arrival in the country. Law enforcement authorities, acting on intelligence, detained the pair and commenced a wider probe into financial transactions and assets thought to be connected to criminal enterprises.
Although the child was subsequently released to the care of relatives, Lakshani has remained in custody as part of what officials describe as a broader crackdown on individuals enabling or facilitating organised crime through financial channels.
