The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has granted the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) permission to detain and question the son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara for 24 hours, in connection with an alleged robbery of Rs. 20 million belonging to a Chinese national.
The 21-year-old suspect was produced before the court following his arrest, after which the magistrate ordered the detention to allow investigators to interrogate him, Ada Derana reported. In a subsequent hearing on July 23, the suspect — named as Anuda Bandara — was remanded until July 27 when produced before court, NewsFirst reported, allowing the inquiry to continue.
He was initially taken into custody by Colpetty Police over the alleged theft, which police say took place on July 13. Investigators have since handed the case over to the Colombo Central Crime Investigation Bureau, which has taken charge of the probe, according to NewsFirst.
Police said the stolen money belonged to a Chinese national. In an update on July 27, investigators told NewsFirst that the Chinese national had since left Sri Lanka, and that a separate inquiry had been opened into how he came to possess the large sum. The alleged robbery is said to have taken place while the cash was being transported in a vehicle.
The same day, the court ordered five suspects held in the case released on bail, among them Anuda Dinajith Bandara — the son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara — who had been remanded since his arrest. Police said the grandson of a prominent businessman was also among those implicated.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered the release after imposing two personal bails of Rs. 20 million each on every suspect. The five named in court were Anuda Janadith Samarakoon Bandara, Ajith Priyantha, Dushan Shyamal, Pramil Kusal Gunadasa and a Chinese national identified as Wan Quin.
Investigating officers told the court that further inquiries are being carried out into the suspects’ telephone records, bank transactions and cryptocurrency accounts, to establish whether they had engaged in similar transactions in the past. Investigators also said efforts are under way to locate another suspect connected to the incident, along with the vehicle allegedly used to carry out the robbery.
The transfer of the investigation to the CCIB and the involvement of several high-profile figures have kept the case in the public eye. Further investigations into both the alleged robbery and the origin of the money are continuing.
