The son of a former State Minister Shantha Bandara has been arrested in connection with the robbery of Rs. 20 million from a Chinese national in Kollupitiya, police said.
The incident occurred on July 13 near Dinson Junction on Galle Road in the Kollupitiya Police Division. A suspect who allegedly robbed the Chinese national and attempted to flee was apprehended by members of the public and handed over to a police officer at the scene.
During a subsequent search, police recovered 290 milligrams of hashish and Rs. 20 million in cash believed to have been stolen from the victim. The suspect was produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court on July 14, and police obtained a seven-day detention order to continue investigations.
Investigators later determined that the suspect had used a hired vehicle to travel to the crime scene. Based on information uncovered during inquiries into the vehicle's movements, two additional suspects and a Chinese national were arrested in the Jawatte area of Colombo 5.
The three suspects were produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court and remanded until July 23.
Police also identified another suspect wanted in connection with the robbery, who is the son of a former Member of Parliament. The suspect surrendered to the Kollupitiya Police with legal representation on July 21 and was taken into custody.
He is scheduled to be produced before court on July 22 as investigations continue.
