An individual who had sought a ransom of Rs. 1 million from a Colombo businessman has been arrested by the Police Homicide and Organized Crime Investigation Division.
It has been reported that the suspect had sought ransom claiming that he was an associate of notorious criminal figure and drug dealer Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne alias ‘Harak Kata’.
The suspect had introduced himself as ‘Bentota Gihan’ to the businessman, the owner of a prominent clothing store in Colombo and a resident of Havelock Town in Colombo.
The Police stated that the suspect had allegedly threatened to murder the businessman’s son if he failed to provide the ransom as requested.
Investigations have revealed that the businessman had previously paid Rs. 100,000 on three separate occasions.
Due to the continuous threats, the businessman filed a complaint with the Police Homicide and Organized Crime Investigation Division.
The Police arrested the suspect and produced him before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court after which he was remanded until August 17, 2023.
Investigations have been launched to ascertain if the suspect, a Dehiwala resident, has any connections to the notorious ‘Harak Kata’. (NewsWire)