Dasham Novada Wickramathunga, a 33-year-old Sri Lankan barber, pleaded guilty in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on 29 September 2026.[1][2] Judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin sentenced him to 10 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane, with the prison term running from his arrest on 6 April 2024.[1][2]
Harian Metro says he faced an alternative charge of trafficking about 2.569 kg of cannabis, jointly with two Malaysians, at a residence on Jalan Ipoh in Sentul at 11.30 pm on 6 April 2024, under section 39A(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 read with section 34 of the Penal Code.[1] Utusan Malaysia describes the charge as possession of 2.57 kg at a condominium unit on Jalan Ipoh.[2] The prosecution told the court the original charge had been under section 39B, which can carry life imprisonment and at least 15 strokes, before a defence representation led to the alternative charge.[1]
Defence counsel Zulkifli Awang said Wickramathunga was a first offender who had earned about RM1,700 a month as a barber and supported elderly parents in Sri Lanka.[1][2] In the same hearing the court discharged a Malaysian woman aged 25 and a Malaysian man aged 29 after the Attorney General’s Chambers gave no instruction to continue against them.[1]