The Principal implicated in the discovery of nearly 2kgs of heroin buried behind a hotel in Eppawala has been officially interdicted from his duties.

The letter of suspension, issued by the North Central Provincial Director of Education, outlines that the Principal will not receive any salary or allowances during the period of interdiction and is barred from travelling overseas.

He is also prohibited from entering the school premises and must hand over all government property in his possession to an official designated by the Zonal Director of Education.

The action follows a raid on the Principal's hotel property in the Yatigala, Eppawala, based on information received by the Anuradhapura Division Criminal Investigation Unit.

Police officers unearthed nearly 2kgs of heroin buried at the back of the hotel, with a reported street value of approximately Rs. 20 million.

The Principal, B. Jayantha Balasuriya (59), of Eppawala, was subsequently arrested.

The investigation revealed that the Principal's wife, Disna Niranjala Kumari, is a National People’s Power (NPP) councillor for the Peliyagoda Urban Council.

The Principal's second son, Hiran Miyuranga Balasuriya (26), was previously arrested by Ipalogama Police while allegedly transporting 21g of heroin on a motorcycle and is currently in remand custody.

The recent drug discovery was reportedly made following the questioning of the son's friend, Tharindu Dhananjaya (30), a chef from Eppawala, who had been tasked with hiding the large heroin parcel after receiving instructions relayed from the son in prison.

He was also arrested.

The Principal's confession to the Police indicated that his elder brother’s son, known as 'Dubai Shashi' and residing in Dubai, facilitated the drug network with notorious trafficker 'Kosgoda Sujee'.

Further intelligence suggests that the Principal’s wife, the NPP Councillor, is also a relative of 'Kosgoda Sujee'.

Following the controversy surrounding her husband's arrest, Disna Niranjala Kumari has now resigned from her position as an Urban Councillor for the Peliyagoda Urban Council.

The two suspects—Principal Balasuriya and Tharindu Dhananjaya—were produced before the Thambuttegama Magistrate's Court yesterday (06), where Magistrate Gayathri Hettiarachchi granted Police permission to detain and question them for seven days.

The Magistrate also issued orders to all State and private banks, and all telephone companies, to provide details of the suspects' bank accounts and mobile phone analysis reports to the investigating officers.