The Colombo Crime Division, which conducted investigations in connection with the death threat to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Municipal Council’s former Mayor Janaka Ranawaka by making calls from a foreign phone number and demanding a ransom of Rs.50 million had arrested SLFP Colombo
District Organizer Saman Wijesundara on suspicion over the incident yesterday (21). A senior officer of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) stated that Saman Wijesundara was arrested at his home in Angoda Kudabuthgamuwa.
The extortionist made the first call to Ranawaka from a telephone number in Dubai on November 24 through WhatsApp. Police said that they kept calling and asking for a ransom of Rs. 50 million.
Ranawaka had complained to the Mirihana Police on December 5. At that time, Ranawaka was being threatened for extortion from a Pakistani phone number in addition to the Dubai phone call, so he submitted a written complaint to the director of the Colombo Crime Division on December 12. According to the complaint, the Colombo Crime Division has started investigations on the advice of Acting Inspector General Deshabandu Tennakoon.
Colombo Crime Division officials have revealed information about the network involved in demanding ransom. It has been found that Saman Wijesundara has threatened Janaka Ranawaka and demanded ransom through his cousin who is abroad based on a land dispute. Accordingly, the Colombo Crime Division arrested Saman Wijesundara.
Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe