Heroin killed British rugby players in Sri Lanka
Two English amateur rugby players had taken heroin just before their deaths while in Sri Lanka, a court was told Friday as it ordered the arrest of those responsible for selling the narcotics.
Concluding inquests into the deaths, Colombo Fort magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ruled that Thomas Howard, 25, died from heroin poisoning while Tom Baty,26, overdosed.
Police had previously told the court that the duo had been sold highly contaminated heroin after they visited a night club in Colombo during a tour of the country in May. Both developed breathing difficulties after their night out.
Howard died after admission to hospital while Baty died two days later.
A judicial medical officer had told the court there were no external injuries on the bodies nor did they suffer any illnesses. “The deaths are not due to any criminal activity, but I order the police to arrest those responsible for selling drugs to them,” Jayaratne said.
She also ordered death certificates to be issued to the families of the two players through the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in London. The duo from Durham City rugby club in northeast England had played a friendly against the Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club the day before they were taken ill.
(AFP)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka aims to streamline tax structure, boost collections October 4, 2023
- Tharushi Karunarathna wins Gold at Asian Games in China October 4, 2023
- Litro gas prices increased from tonight (October 04) October 4, 2023
- Sri Lanka’s Health Minister says people seeking treatment at government hospitals have increased by 40% October 4, 2023
- Court dismisses misappropriation case against Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Lalith Weeratunga October 4, 2023
Hang the owner of the club. Now the PM cans show how serious he was by saying to Hanf drug traffickers.
Hang the owner of the club. Now the PM can show how he serious he was by saying to hang drug traffickers.