Chief Inspector arrested for extorting youth

A Chief Inspector who is said to have obtained a ransom amount of two hundred and forty-six thousand rupees by intimidating a youth, using an advertisement published on a social media network stating that a motorcycle is for sale, was arrested by the Kuruwita Police.

Police say that this officer, who served attached to the Sabaragamuwa Province Deputy Inspector General’s office, was arrested yesterday (01). It is also revealed that the suspect officer is someone who had been transferred to the Ratnapura area due to an investigation conducted previously against a government Member of Parliament representing the Colombo District.

A youth from the Ediriyanwela Udakada area in Kuruwita had published a message in a 'WhatsApp' group stating that a 1000cc engine capacity type motorcycle is for sale. Police say the complaint mentions that the suspect Police Inspector, who saw it, arrived at that house in a motor car with another person and intimidated the youth’s father, saying that there are legal issues regarding the relevant motorcycle.

It is also reported that the suspect had demanded a ransom amount of ten lakhs of rupees, threatening that if this incident went too far, the sons would not even get to go abroad. Later, after discussions were held, that amount was reduced to three lakhs of rupees, and the youth’s father complained to the police that the suspect obtained an amount of Rs. 246,000 on the Kuruwita - Deraniyagala road.

It is also reported that even after obtaining the money, the suspect continued to exert pressure by making telephone calls, telling them to come near the Kaduwela Police station taking the motorcycle. After that, it is mentioned that the youth’s father informed a high-ranking police officer known to him about this.

Accordingly, on the instructions of Senior Superintendent of Police Kamal Ariyasinghe in charge of the Central Anti-Crime Division, and under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General in charge of Sabaragamuwa Province, Ratnapura Deputy Inspector General Renuka Jayasundara, Ratnapura Senior Superintendent of Police Jayaratne, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Bandara, a team including Kuruwita Police Station OIC Chinthaka Mayadunne conducted investigations and arrested the suspect.

Police also say that further evidence is being gathered based on several security camera (CCTV) scenes as well. The suspect Chief Inspector, who underwent questioning by the Ratnapura Special Investigation Unit, is scheduled to be produced before the Ratnapura Magistrate’s Court today (02).