Court allows CID to record further statements from wife of ’Backhoe Saman’

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, Sept. 9 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today granted permission to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record further statements inside prison from Sajika Lakshani, alleged to be the wife of organised crime group member 'Backhoe Saman,' who was arrested in Indonesia while associating with members of a notorious drug trafficking and criminal gang and later remanded upon being produced before court.

The magistrate made this order after considering a request filed by the CID, allowing investigators to obtain statements from the suspect within the prison between September 12 and 16.

The CID, making the request through a motion, informed court that although the suspect has no legitimate source of income or employment, she claims ownership to significant assets including large quantities of gold jewellery. They further submitted that investigations are continuing under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and therefore permission was sought to record further statements from her.