Young lawyer barred from case after misconduct

A young lawyer was reprimanded today after attempting to make a video call on behalf of his foreign national client during proceedings at the Negombo Magistrate’s Court.

The incident took place in Courtroom No. 02 during the hearing of a case involving 21-year-old British flight attendant Charlotte May Lee, who was arrested in May with 46.6 kilograms of Kush—the largest quantity of the drug ever seized at Sri Lanka’s airport.

According to court officials, the lawyer had requested permission from prison officers to speak with his detained client. However, officers observed him activating his mobile phone, placing it inside his court bag, and speaking closely with the suspect. Upon inspection, they discovered that a video call was being made.

The phone was immediately confiscated and presented to the Magistrate, along with a formal report.

Issuing a stern warning, the Negombo Magistrate cautioned the lawyer that if the matter were reported to the Supreme Court, his legal license could be at risk of revocation. While noting that lawyers are permitted to carry phones into court for professional purposes, the Magistrate stressed that such privileges must not be misused.

Given that this was his first offence, the Magistrate exercised leniency and released the lawyer. However, he was prohibited from appearing in this particular case or attending court during its proceedings in the future. The confiscated phone was later returned.

Meanwhile, the Magistrate ordered that Charlotte May Lee remain in remand custody until September 3.

The 21-year-old from South London was arrested by Sri Lanka Customs on May 13 after allegedly attempting to smuggle narcotics into the country. She was found in possession of 46.6 kilograms of Kush concealed in her luggage.

Lee, a former flight attendant, has denied the charges, claiming she was unaware of the drugs and suggesting that someone else may have planted them. She has been held in custody for over 90 days.