The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has uncovered information relating to nine politicians and seven actresses and models from mobile phones seized from alleged drug trafficker and organised crime suspect Kehelbaddara Padme, the CID informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Investigators told court that photographs and records of telephone conversations involving nine politicians were found among the data recovered from the suspect’s mobile phones. Information relating to seven actresses and models was also identified, while further investigations are underway. The CID’s findings do not, by themselves, indicate that any of the individuals named had committed an offence.

Police said eight mobile phones were recovered from Kehelbaddara Padme following his arrest. Although data had been deleted from the devices, investigators managed to recover a substantial amount of information, including details of 8,841 telephone calls, more than 326,000 photographs, 1,101 audio recordings and 5,039 videos.

The CID also identified information relating to 20 suspected major drug traffickers and referred the relevant details to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation. Telephone numbers belonging to 13 prison officers were also allegedly found on the devices, and the Commissioner General of Prisons has been informed.

Investigators further told court that photographs of 19 passports belonging to individuals allegedly linked to various criminal activities had been recovered. The CID is also examining 17 bank accounts as part of its ongoing investigation.

According to the CID, Kehelbaddara Padme had travelled to 13 countries on approximately 15 occasions after leaving Sri Lanka legally in May 2021. His destinations included the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Russia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Laos.

Kehelbaddara Padme was arrested in Indonesia and subsequently brought back to Sri Lanka following an international operation. He was later held under detention orders while investigators questioned him over his alleged involvement in drug trafficking and organised criminal activities.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered that Kehelbaddara Padme be further remanded until September 3 as investigations continue.