The 21-year-old son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara is due to be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court today (22) after being arrested by the Kollupitiya Police in connection with the alleged robbery of Rs. 20 million from a Chinese national.
According to police investigations, the Chinese national had been summoned to Kollupitiya on the pretext of converting Rs. 20 million into US dollars. Upon his arrival, the suspects allegedly impersonated police officers, seized Rs. 20 million, and fled the scene.
Police allege that Shantha Bandara’s son was the mastermind behind the robbery.
Meanwhile, the Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (21) ordered that the four suspects arrested by the Kollupitiya Police, including the alleged main suspect, be remanded until July 23.
The alleged main suspect, identified as Kandage Don Ajith Priyantha, was produced before an identification parade presided over by Acting Fort Magistrate Kingsley Hettiarachchi, where three witnesses identified him. The court ordered that he be produced for a further identification parade on July 23 to allow an absent witness to participate and directed that he be presented with his face covered during the parade.
Police informed court that investigations were continuing to arrest two more suspects believed to be connected to the robbery.
Further investigations are being conducted by the Kollupitiya Police.
