By Colombo Telegraph
A leaked US embassy cable reviled “drug kingpins in Sri Lanka have political patrons in the government”. “Chief among them Dr. Mervin Silva, a Member of Parliament and the Minister of Labor” the cable further said. The Colombo Telegraph found the cable from the Wikileaks database.
The remarks by Washington’s embassy to Sri Lanka, are revealed by the Wikileaks leaked cable. The cable was classified as “ CONFIDENTIAL” by ambassador Patricia A. Butenis.
In the cable, written on February 2010, under the sub-heading “SRI LANKA NABS DRUG TRAFFICKERS” the ambassador wrote that “ the recent arrest of narcotics traffickers and heroin seizures paint a disturbing picture. The police assessment that heroin trade is pre-dominatly carried out by the Muslim
community is troubling because of illicit network’s destabilizing effects. The February 18 arrest in the Muslim – dominated northwestern region of a Muslim man from an internally displaced persons’ camp suggests the potential for criminal exploitation of a vulnerable community.
The cable further says “ according to a former Sri Lankan security services official, drug kingpins in Sri Lanka have political patrons in the government, chief among them Dr. Mervin Silva, a Member of Parliament and the Minister of Labor. His son, Malaka Silva, is suspected of trafficking the drug “ecstasy” in Colombo.
Read the full cable below;
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000134 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR INL AND SCA/INSB E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2020 TAGS: APER AORC ECON KUNR UN CE SUBJECT: SRI LANKA NABS DRUG TRAFFICKERS REF: 09 COLOMBO 1077 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Valerie Fowler, Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Media is reporting and contacts confirm that Sri Lankan Police and Customs officials have seized over 40 kilos of heroin in the past week in three different drug busts. On February 15, Customs officials reported they had arrested two Pakistani nationals with 83 packets of heroin weighing 720 grams and worth nearly USD 30,000 at Colombo's international airport. On February 18, Police in the Mannar district in northwestern Sri Lanka seized 30.6 kilos of heroin with an estimated street value of USD 870,000-$1,600,000. And on February 19, a Maldivian and Sri Lankan couple were arrested for possession of 9 kilos of heroin. Heroin use in Sri Lanka remains low, indicating Sri Lanka remains a key transit hub for heroin trafficking in South Asia. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The February 15 report that Sri Lankan Customs officials had arrested two Pakistani nationals with 83 packets of heroin worth nearly USD 30,000 may demonstrate ongoing regional cooperation in drug interdiction as Customs may have been tipped off by Pakistani counterparts. According to sources, the passports of the accused show multiple previous entries and exits in Sri Lanka, suggesting this may not be the first time the suspects had smuggled drugs into the country. They traveled via Qatar, since officials more carefully scrutinize travelers arriving from Pakistan than from the Gulf States. The drug packets were found hidden in the suspects' abdomen and rectum. ¶3. (SBU) The dramatic seizure of 30.6 kilos of heroin on February 18 in the Mannar district in northwestern Sri Lanka was the largest drugs seizure in the recent past. The drugs are estimated to have a street value of between USD 870,000 and 1,600,000. Police believe the heroin crossed the Palk Strait by boat into Sri Lanka from India. Local contacts confirm that the Mannar coast is an important transshipment point for narcotics traffickers. The interdicted van only had a driver with a mobile phone with one Colombo-based telephone number in it, although other suspects are reported to have fled the scene. Police are investigating further. The sheer volume of the bust indicates the heroin is bound for a "big time dealer" in the country before being forwarded to other destinations, perhaps the Maldives or Europe. ¶4. (SBU) On Febuary 19, the Colombo Narcotics Bureau apprehended two suspects - a Maldivian woman and her Sri Lankan husband - for possession of 9 kilos of heroin. While the media is reporting the two have confessed, no further information is currently available. As noted in Reftel, drug use in Sri Lanka remains low by global standards (with an estimated 55,000 users), and the government generally works well with regional and USG partners to control illegal substances. However, Sri Lanka remains a key transit hub for heroin trafficking in South Asia. ¶5. (C) According to a former Sri Lankan security services official, drug kingpins in Sri Lanka have political patrons in the government, chief among them Dr. Mervyn Silva, a Member of Parliament and the Minister of Labor. His son, Malika Silva, is suspected of trafficking the drug "ecstasy" in Colombo nightclubs. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: The recent arrests of narcotics traffickers and heroin seizures paint a disturbing picture. The police assessment that heroin trade is pre-dominantly carried out by the Muslim community is troubling because of the illicit network's destabilizing effects. The February 18 arrest in the Muslim-dominated northwestern region of a Muslim man from an internally displaced persons' camp suggests the potential for criminal exploitation of a vulnerable community. BUTENIS
Sanjeev / September 26, 2011
“Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne admitted in Parliament today that some politicians are involved in the illegal drug trade in the country.”
http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2011/7/68765.html
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Bada Banda UK / September 27, 2011
The former security persons which Butenis talks of is ………. Sarath Fonseka and Captain Silva. Is it Ok now?
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Sashi Kumar / September 28, 2011
we knew it long before wikileaks
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waruna / September 29, 2011
Mervyn and his son Malaka are goods friends too, because Malaka give some beautiful girls to his father. So Dr. Mervyn enjoy the best same like his son..
Very recently in Sri Lanka Air Port once customs officers wants to open the bag of Dr. Mervyn Silva’s Golaya, he denied then Dr. came to the spot immiedietly and he ask office who wants to see what is inside the bag plesae see what is inside my pant first. and he was abouve to open remove his pant.. this happend front of all other passangers..
I am worried how come our EX president keep silent for this kind of peson. may be Dr. Supply women to our president ?
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lankapuwath / September 29, 2011
this is a old story no one can do any thing because this comes from top shot.. you can see Malaka and his freiends deal Drugs in night life Colombo famouse Night clubs..
No one can stop them even prsident can not them becasue Mervyn have more powerfull secrets of president.. If mervyn go out even prsident have to go so no one can stop them both..
I think this can be ended like Libya. at that time we can see how Mervyn style DUTUGAMUNU
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Sri Lankan / September 26, 2011
two dogs :)
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Kalani / September 26, 2011
oh my goodness – see who are culprits and we have to “gas badinna” actually Mervin rite
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Gamunu kumara / September 11, 2012
hey bro..don’t insult the dogs! dogs are innocent and humane than these criminals.
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Gamunu kumara / September 11, 2012
please don’t insult dogs!
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Yoshitha - SL Navy / September 26, 2011
An animal right protector and human rights violator.
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Hasantha / September 27, 2011
please do not name this thug / human right violator as animal right protector as usual he tried to show different face to the society by his work.
further i think all most all popular people condemning the killing of cattle for beef are in the same boat…
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Kari / September 26, 2011
Well, I suppose Mervyn must be thinking he can bribe the Gods by releasing the animals for the many sins he commits against the people of Sri Lanka..
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Raja Senanayake / September 27, 2011
How can Mervyn act with immunity unless he is protected by bigger guys in power. Alsa Sri Lanka is going down the Gadarene slope.
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Rathyaka Banda - USA / September 27, 2011
political patrons. that is the answer!
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Vanesa / September 27, 2011
Is he a Ph.D. holder or a physician?
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Hasantha / September 27, 2011
no Ph.D or Physician only anacharya
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Weere / September 27, 2011
He is not an educated man, a thug/ under world Ph.D holder
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Tim Silva / September 28, 2011
Should k##l this m###rf ###er soon before more donkeys get the PHD’s like this dick head….
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raymond / November 23, 2011
No. Gon Haraka!
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Ilanagakoon - Walave / September 27, 2011
His son also a thug, he will also get a Ph.d soon from the University of Colombo. they gave a Ph.d for the biggest thug Rajapaksa and his brother psychopath Gota, a war criminal.
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vajja / September 28, 2011
Hik hik….. Wikeleaks proves that Sarath Fonseka is a US agent. Read other cables.. when they are reffering to him, they just called “Fonseka” only. How many Fonseka’s in Sri Lanka. When American Ambassodor says just Fonseka or Retired Army Officer only, US authorities know who is it. How close each other!!?! We don’t need to earn PhDs to learn this kind of betrayals!!
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AMT / January 21, 2012
Americans called their presidents as just “Obama”, Bush,Bill Clinton but in Sri Lanka’s todays Government Parliamentarians – there a a good number of Doctors who have not passed their O/L exams and the president wants himself to be called – His Excellency The President Doctor Rajapakshe. Further more from the permanent life size cut-outs and poster that you see advertising him, what is he trying to sell??
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nishanthi / September 27, 2011
it is nothing new about Mervyn and also there will be no point in talking about this………(you name it) . It is the same song by the same person, sung to a different tune. Who entertains this behaviour? Why the higher officials / President is silent about this so called ………………..(you name it). What “mathata thitha” we talk about? what culture we boast about? . This is shit , and vomitish . It is a swayanposhitha rata where a woman can not stand on a road, go to a police station, be independent at work etc etc. This country is sleeping .
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Bada Banda UK / September 27, 2011
Dr. Mervin Silva started his political career as the driver/bodyguard of late Sirima Bandaranayake and became a minister and a Dr, you should be proud of him. He is a true patriot like MR, GR and Sirima.
Everything US and Western media says are against our culture, remember what happens to Kdaffi and his libya, don’t even give slightest chance to the west, and you will end up in hell.
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Rajan / November 7, 2011
Merwyn should go like gadafii.. Wonder how Dr. will feel when a stick goes up his …….
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Tomba / September 27, 2011
this is a old news,each & everybody who is clubbing CMB & Hikkaduwa area,exactly know who is Malaka Silva,if Buddhism is true,somday all will pay for those,but unfortunatly some typical deshapremi modayan never understand this.According to them both son & father are heroes,but never understand these are totally mess for Sri Lanka.
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Surani Samarasingha / September 27, 2011
It will end as a petricide like prince Kasyapa did to king Dhathusena.
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Peter C S / September 28, 2011
Colombo Telegraph is an extention of the Tamilnet and Sunday Leader. Both a crap and everyone who works for them must face a firing squad with excretement filled guns. Taste of shit will do them some good.
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Palawatta - kandy / September 28, 2011
No escape for him now
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M L Fernando / September 28, 2011
Kalaniya under the bridge mafia is devoloped soon after the battaramulla political body guards gangs.Now river and sea is have all the facilities to distribution…According to professor Carlo.fonseka,sri lanka is a drop out users,international transaction joint.It is from 80s our part in the trade.
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Nandasena Rathnapala / September 28, 2011
Fernando, Professor Carlo Fonseka is ” Duarave” Cast – (toddy cast) this drug dealer Mervin also from Durave cast. so Carlo won’t do any thing against Mervin. same gang.
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malafdmmala / October 22, 2011
don’t mix up cast with bad behavior
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kanishka / September 28, 2011
old news, the whole country knows this. only the police and cid dont know about this can some one pls let them about this ideots. MR MR pls do some thing about this.55,000 is a lot.
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nishanthi / September 28, 2011
hi Palawatta-Kandy:- it is a joke and you are gonna be a joker in case if you use “No escape for him (Mervyn) now” , he will escape nicely as usual with the blessings of the MR. How many times did he (Mervyn|) escape ?
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nishanthi / September 28, 2011
he should have been killed by the poosaries of the munneswaran kovil when he went to release the goats etc. The country has missed a good chance .
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Sean fernando / September 28, 2011
hang mervin silva!
put him behind bars,…this man is a disgrace to the country,…not just because US cables reveal this, it is so obvious this man is nothing but a DOG!
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Cynthia / September 29, 2011
Sean…dont insult the dogs! . Is Malaka in the ” nil balakaya?”
Why does Dr. MR protect Dr. MS ? What about ” mathata thitha? ” any action JHU?
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jalkandy@gmail.com / September 28, 2011
ah this is well-known secret , wikileaks …. bull shit….
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nishanthi / September 29, 2011
happy and proud to read your words “hang this man, he is not doing good to this country etc” the question is … who will do it? whose attention these coments will go to ? At least one man fearelesly say “kill this dog”. Thats it. These days Mervyn is very silent like, but Duminda Silva is leading in a very cheap way. Who talks about these? where is media. ? Where is the law / discipline. Soon, we will be writing about Duminda Silva also the same way. This country has gone to dogs. Nothing else. Our people have got used to a dirty style of changing colours and doing anything for personal agendas/benifits. Thats why the politicians are THIS.
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nishanthi / September 29, 2011
As rightly questioned by Cinthia; where is MR’s MATHATA THITHA? this has now become THITHATA MATHA where the MATHA is THITHATA being marketed – garilla marketing. Switch on the TV to watch a film / drama to see MATHATAi THITHA. 1/2 of the film senarios are blocked to cover consuming alcohol / smoking. This is bulshit. But this is called a DHARMA DEEPA. BUDUNGE DESHAYA. Disgracing the Lord Buddha too. Afterall there will be a APATA THITHA by Mervyn and Duminda etc.
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nishanthi / September 29, 2011
Waruna, not MAY BE but YES HE IS. Otherwise what is the big deal there in between and MR and MS? All the passangers at the airport ; at that moment ; if they had guts to stay without showing their baggages to the custom officers??????? what was the office going to do? Of course they will lock them up and file cases against the other passangers , as usual. But for MS? They will see his private parts and wait if he removes his pants. This man is a possible one to do so . Clown.
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Cynthia / October 3, 2011
The evening news today, on some TV channels, showed Mervin Silva and his body guards physically attacking
the father of a student of a school in Kelaniya , in the presence of a crowd of people. The person assaulted had
a complaint against the school.No one came to his rescue when he was attacked and chased away by these thugs.
Is there no one who could stop this brutality?Is even this ugly behavior and harassment of a fellow citizen by a ” Minister”
going to be tolerated by the President who is supposed to be “an exemplary leader ‘ ?
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nalaka / October 22, 2011
Silent of MR ——–world understands————one day ———everything finished——the day——–not far
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