Prisons probing how Priyamali came to possess cell phone in remand

By Norman Palihawadane

Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said yesterday that an internal investigation had been launched to find out how a mobile phone had been smuggled into the Welikada Prison for Thilini Priyamali, the owner of Thico Group (Pvt) Ltd., who was remanded over an alleged financial fraud, blackmail, etc..

Prison officials recovered the mobile phone, from the possession of Priyamali during a search carried out at the female ward of the Welikada Prison in the early hours of yesterday.

Priyamali has been remanded till 19 Oct., by the Colombo Fort Magistrate over allegedly misappropriating Rs. 226 million, US$ 60,000, and Australian $100,000 while operating from a luxury office at the World Trade Centre, in Colombo.

Ekanayake said that the investigation had been initiated by the Prison Emergency Response Unit, together with the Welikada Prison authorities.