Nikaweratiya Acting Magistrate J.M. Wimalasena yesterday (28) ordered a woman who was arrested in connection with an incident of illegally hiding 48 liters of petrol in her house and attempting to sell it for money to be remanded until the 31st. This case has drawn attention due to the implications of the illegal petrol sale Sri Lanka.
The woman who was remanded in custody is a resident of Hulugalle, Nikaweratiya. The suspect was produced before the court with 48 liters of petrol through a B report related to the illegal petrol sale Sri Lanka.
The Girilla Police were also ordered to submit a report to the court indicating the progress of the investigations into the incident of illegal petrol sale Sri Lanka on that day.
The police informed the court that the house in question was raided on information that the suspect was hiding petrol and selling it.
The police told the court that the suspect’s husband was also in the house at the time and that the 48 liters of petrol that had been hidden were seized by the police after the house was searched. The police requested that the suspect be remanded since the suspect’s husband who fled has been arrested and further investigations are being conducted into the incident.
Attorney-at-Law Udayanga Atapattu, appearing for the suspect, stated in court that the Giriulla Police are still unaware of the provisions of the law under which the case is being brought against his client for illegally keeping 48 liters of petrol.
He also stated that according to the provisions of the Petroleum Products Supply Regulation and Control Act No. 34 of 1979, there is no legal impediment for a consumer consuming petrol to keep it in his possession.
