The Sri Lanka Police has requested the public to provide any information regarding offences committed by a suspect involved in a major gold fraud.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) initiated an investigation based on a complaint made on February 11, 2025, alleging that a resident of Lewis Mawatha, Kelaniya, had taken money to purchase gold items but failed to deliver them.
The complainant stated that the suspect had claimed he could provide 3½ kilograms of gold, obtained Rs. 50 million, and later deceived him by handing over two pieces of iron coated with gold.
The suspect has been identified as Lokubadaturuge Mahesh Vinthaka De Silva, residing at No. 341, 11th Lane, Wilbawa, Kurunegala, bearing National ID No. 198621302653.
Investigations revealed that he had been deceiving people by posing as a Lieutenant Commander in the Sri Lanka Navy using a forged identification document.
The CID arrested the suspect on December 23, 2025, produced him before the Mahara Magistrate’s Court, and he was subsequently remanded.
To date, two complaints of fraud committed in this manner have been reported against him, and authorities stress the need to gather further information on whether he has engaged in similar offences.
As such, the Police have requested the public with related complaints to contact the hotlines 03-011-2395371 or 03- 071-8594915. (Newswire)